Transcripts Unsealed in Case Against Sheriff

A judge has granted media requests to unseal court transcripts in the criminal case against a western Pennsylvania sheriff.
 
Judge Francis J. Fornelli ruled Wednesday that the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and the Beaver County Times made compelling arguments for release of the records in the case against Beaver County Sheriff George David. Fornelli says he shielded some pretrial arguments from public view to avoid tainting Beaver County's jury pool.
 
David was arrested in March 2013 on charges he threatened to cut a political campaign worker's hands off and shoot an online news reporter. Authorities say the charges stem from encounters that began in November 2011. David has pleaded not guilty.
 
David remains in office because county officials are powerless to remove him and state legislators haven't tried to.