Erie district judge guilty in road-rage case in Mercer County

MERCER, Pa. (AP) — An Erie district judge has pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct stemming from accusations that he waved a gun during a traffic dispute.

In exchange for Judge Tom Carney’s plea today, charges including terroristic threats and simple assault were dropped. Carney will pay fines and costs of $541.

Carney had contended two college students who claimed he waved the gun at them as their vehicle passed his fueled the Jan. 11 dispute on Interstate 79 in Mercer County. The students acknowledged at a hearing that Carney didn’t point the gun at them, but said he waved it around.

Carney said at the time, he believed he acted appropriately, but he’s since concluded he had some responsibility.

Carney was elected to a six-year term in 2005 and has a carrying permit.