Laurels & lances: Communication and court

Laurel: To staying connected. On Jan. 2, the people of Harrison, Tarentum and Brackenridge were trying to follow what was happening with the manhunt for a wanted fugitive. Social media was lighting up with information — not all of it accurate. The day ended with the death of Brackenridge police Chief Justin McIntire.

The three municipalities are now investing Department of Community and Economic Development money in keeping residents informed about all kinds of developments via an app called Savvy Citizen.

In addition to emergency situations, it can also give up-to-date information about meetings, events or small problems like a service delay.

Lance: To an unexpected hurdle. Family and friends of off-duty Pittsburgh police Officer Calvin Hall have been waiting for justice since he was fatally shot in July 2019. The trial of Christian Bey, 34, finally got underway Tuesday.

It stumbled to a halt Wednesday when a simple question from a prosecutor produced unintended information from a witness.

Allegheny County Deputy District Attorney Stephie Ramaley asked Dawn Coates, a longtime friend and distant family member of Hall’s, how she knew Bey. Coates said Bey moved across the street after he was released from prison.

That was the problem. A defendant’s criminal history is not disclosed unless it is relevant to the case because it can keep the jury from being able to see the individual through the “innocent until proven guilty” lens necessary for a trial.

Common Pleas Judge Kevin G. Sasinoski declared a mistrial, putting the process back at the starting point. Selection of a new jury began Thursday.

Ramaley did nothing wrong in her questioning, and the judge made the right call. It is nonetheless frustrating to see the case drag out even longer.