KDKA Radio Editorial: Judge Xander Orenstein Must Be Stopped

A husband and father of two daughters is dead because a man charged with assault last year was not in jail.

Judge Xander Orenstein followed a pre-trial recommendation and released the man without cash bail. Why wouldn't the county lock up a person charged with felony robbery, assault, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief?

It is no surprise the man failed to show up for his preliminary hearing three times. Now he's facing a homicide charge, accused of stabbing Benjamin Brallier, Monday on the Montour Trail.

That series of events adds up to a complete failure of the county's district court system. Several other judges with a similar progressive agenda are also releasing dangerous people on no cash bonds.

It has to stop.

A state lawmaker wants to pass legislation requiring judges to set cash bonds for suspects charged with violent offenses.

That's a good start.

This is not Orenstein's first judicial travesty but it should certainly be his last.

If he won't resign, Orenstein should be sidelined or impeached in the name of public safety.