The September trial term starts this week at Schuylkill County Courthouse.
Several defendants will have their cases heard either in front of a judge or jury of their peers starting Monday.
Here’s a look at this week’s criminal trial schedule:
Monday, Sept. 8
A pair of non-jury trials are scheduled for Courtroom 6 on Monday.
Brooke Wright, 44, of York, and David Sullenberger, 55, of Orwigsburg, are facing charges of first-offense DUI.
Both cases will be bench trials heard before Schuylkill County Senior Judge C. Palmer Dolbin.
Wright’s trial is expected to begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday with Sullenberger’s to follow at 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 9
Joseph Disabella, 39, of Sugarloaf, faces charges of indecent assault of a person less than 13 years old and corruption of minors.
A former Hazleton Area School District employee, Disabella is accused of illicit contact with a minor at a holiday party in Kline Township on Nov. 30, 2024.
The case will be heard in front of a jury with Judge Christopher Hobbs presiding. Tuesday’s trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 4.
Wednesday, Sept. 10
Joseph Demarco II, of Stewartstown, faces charges of possession with intent to deliver (6 counts), possession of a controlled substance (6 counts), possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving the wrong way.
Following a traffic stop in Pottsville last year, police say they eventually were granted the right to search his vehicle. Inside, police say they found a smorgasbord of drugs, including mushrooms, marijuana, cocaine, and MDMA (ecstasy).
Demarco’s case will be heard before Judge William Burke in Courtroom 3 starting at 9 a.m.
Erick Thompson, of Valley View, faces charges of rape, sexual assault, indecent assault, and contempt. He’s accused of making unwanted advances on a woman in October 2024 and then attacking her.
His trial is set to begin at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 2 before President Judge Jacqueline Russell.
Travis Reber, of Pine Grove, faces charges of aggravated assault (2 counts), simple assault (2 counts), resisting arrest, harassment (2 counts), criminal mischief.
In March, State Police responded to his home during a disturbance and learned on the way that he was wanted on arrest warrants out of other counties. As police attempted to take him into custody, Reber allegedly resisted and assaulted two Troopers.
Reber’s trial is before Judge Christina Hale and gets underway at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 3.
Thursday, Sept. 11
Thomas Dower Jr., of Ashland, is facing charges of driving with a suspended license, driving an unregistered vehicle, and obscured plates. His case will be heard starting at 9 a.m. Thursday before Hobbs in Courtroom 4.
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