DA drops Rape charges against ex Montco, Pa GOP Chairman
The evidence in question relates to a toxicology report that was initially thought to have
found the drug Zolpidem, commonly referred to as Ambien, in the complainant’s system. At
issue is the lab analysis of the report, which appeared to indicate an identifiable value
related to the presence of the drug Zolpidem. The investigator incorrectly interpreted that
value as meaning that the lab discovered trace amounts of the drug in the complainant’s
system. In fact, the proper conclusion was that the lab did not find any amount of the drug
Zolpidem in the complainant at all. Because grand jurors gave significant weight to the
existence of the alleged drug evidence in its determination of whether to file charges and
which charges to file, Ferman determined she was duty bound to withdraw the current
charges.
http://www.panewz.com/content/da-drops-rape-charges-against-ex-montco-pa-gop-chairman
Moving forward, a prosecutorial decision must be made as to re-filing charges. Ferman has
concluded, however, that the course of these events has created an unavoidable actual
conflict of interests for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, which requires the
office to refer the matter, in its entirety, to the Office of the Attorney General of
Pennsylvania. This referral has been made and the Attorney General has accepted the
referral.