Efforts Advance To Impeach Judge After PA State Trooper's Murder

HARRISBURG, PA — Five Pennsylvania lawmakers plan to introduce legislation calling for the impeachment of a Pittsburgh magisterial district judge following the murder last week of an off-duty state trooper.

The state representatives are seeking the ouster of District Judge Xander Orenstein of Lawrenceville. Last year, Orenstein released Anthony Quesen, the suspect in the killing of Benjamin Brallier on non-monetary bail after he was charged with robbery and assault.

Quesen last week was charged with fatally stabbing Brallier, 44, a state police liquor control enforcement officer, while he jogged on the Montour Trail in Moon.

"Orenstein inexplicably allowed Anthony Quesen, a man who was accused of viciously assaulting and robbing a victim in Point State Park and evading arrest, to walk free on non-monetary bail," the five stated in a joint memo to colleagues.

"Although Mr. Quesen was homeless, was charged with several serious violent offenses, and had demonstrated an unmistakable intention of avoiding accountability by attempting to evade arrest, Orenstein evidently determined that Mr. Quesen did not constitute a flight risk or pose a danger to the community.

"Predictably, Mr. Quesen not only failed to appear at his court dates, but also committed another violent offense when he attacked and murdered (Braillier)."

The five Republican representatives are Natalie Mihalek of Allegheny County, Jill Cooper of Westmoreland County, Joshua Kail of Beaver County, Rob Mercuri of Allegheny County and Marci Mustell of Butler County.

The quintet noted that earlier this year, the Allegheny County president judge had prohibited Orenstein from presiding over criminal arraignments because of other instances in which he "released dangerous criminals back onto the streets without sufficient conditions."

"The public relies on judges to make decisions that balance the rights of the accused with the safety of the community," the memo stated.

"Orenstein’s inability to faithfully and responsibly apply the laws of this Commonwealth to protect our communities amounts to a dereliction of duty. Indeed, consistently releasing dangerous violent offenders into the public without considering the potential harm they may cause implies either gross incompetence or a willful disregard for one’s judicial obligations."