Aiello’s Criminal Past An Issue?

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Vito J. Aiello had a criminal past. He also, allegedly, had access to a gun.

The city man stands accused of shooting his wife to death Sept. 26, before turning the gun on himself.

And that raises questions about whether Aiello’s history of harassment, terroristic threats, stalking, at least one previous protection-from-abuse order and a request for an involuntary mental-health commitment would — or should — have prevented him from purchasing or possessing firearms.

In Pennsylvania, there are three main types of cases in which gun ownership may be affected, said Susan Sorenson, a professor with the Penn School of Social Policy and Practice with the University of Pennsylvania: certain protection-from-abuse (restraining order) cases, misdemeanor domestic violence convictions or domestic violence crime scenes in which a weapon may be implicated.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news//882873/Aiellos-criminal-past-an-issue

Wilkes-Barre Wife Killed In Domestic Dispute, Police Say

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Residents living on Andover Street said they knew Vito Joseph Aiello was capable of harming his wife, Jane.

Their concerns became real late Thursday night when he allegedly killed her in a shooting before turning the gun on himself. He survived a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his face, police said. The couple would have celebrated their 22nd wedding anniversary today.

Authorities are treating the case as a murder/attempted suicide.

An autopsy is scheduled today at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital.

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/866270/Wife-killed-in-domestic-dispute-police-say

Killer Greist Wants Case Shifted To Federal Court

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Killer Richard Greist has for many years wanted a change of scenery — a release from his involuntary commitment to Norristown State Hospital for mental health treatment. Now, he wants a change of venue.

In December, Greist filed a petition to remove his civil commitment case from the Common Pleas Court in Chester County to U.S. District Court in Philadelphia. He said, acting as his own attorney, that his confinement at Norristown violated his constitutional rights, as well as the American with Disabilities Act.

He contends that his case should be moved to federal court because authorities have altered his commitment status from civil to criminal; have refused to order his annual commitment hearings closed to the public; have not considered a “trial release plan” for him into the community; and have failed to consider what the “least restrictive setting” for him would be.

In response, the county District Attorney’s Office, acting as an intervener in the commitment proceedings, asked the court to dismiss Greist’s petition, calling his assertions “patently false,” “nonsensical,” and delusional.

Read more: http://www.dailylocal.com/articles/2012/01/23/news/srv0000016988163.txt?viewmode=fullstory