Judge Manning refuses to throw out evidence against the Ories

[Divernan]

At a status conference this morning, Allegheny County Common Pleas judge Jeff Manning, who will preside over the trial of state Sen. Jane Orie, denied a motion to suppress evidence in the case.

"Ms. Orie's attorney had challenged the search warrants issued in the case for being "overbroad," and "vague."

Also during today's hearing, Judge Manning pushed the date to begin jury selection in the case back a day because of the Super Bowl. Jury selection for both Ms. Orie, R-McCandless, and her sister, Janine, was scheduled to begin Monday, Feb. 7. However, since the Steelers will play in Super Bowl XLV on Feb. 6, Judge Manning thought it best to push the date back a day.

"Win or lose, we'll start on the 8th," the judge said.

The Ories are charged with misusing the senator's legislative offices and staff to help another sister, state Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin in her election campaign in 2009."

More details in tomorrow's Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11027/1121081-100.stm#ixzz1CH8yUOF6

I'd say the handwriting's on the wall that the Ories will not be catching a single break from Judge Manning.

[wisteria]

1. Good! n/t