Computer to be returned to paper

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — A Lawrence County newspaper is expected sometime today to get back a computer seized by police.

The New Castle News had filed court papers seeking the return of a laptop computer taken by city police in late July after they received a complaint that a telephone conversation with a reporter had been taped without the other party’s consent.

In Pennsylvania, both parties must agree to have their conversation taped under the state’s wiretapping law.

Police took the computer as part of their investigation but have not yet checked it. A hearing was to be held today to resolve the matter.

District Attorney John Bongivengo said both parties were called by visiting Judge Michael Wherry on Wednesday to try to find a resolution to the matter. They agreed to take the computer to an independent third party who will copy the hard drive, Bongivengo said.

The newspaper will then receive the computer, and a copy of the hard drive will be held by the paper’s attorney, he said. Bongivengo called it a fair resolution.

The newspaper’s lawyer, James Manolis, called it a temporary resolution. Bongivengo has not decided if criminal charges will be pursued in the alleged wiretapping.