Pa. judge says couple's text messages are evidence

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (AP) — A judge says a woman’s text messages with her husband about her 4-year-old stepson’s injuries can be used at trial, a decision that deals with Pennsylvania’s status as one of seven states that let spouses invoke a “communications privilege” in all child-abuse cases.

The ruling issued this week by Franklin County Judge Richard Walsh said allowing 27-year-old Michele Hunter to keep secret her husband’s knowledge of child abuse or neglect “would make a mockery” of the privilege.

Judge Walsh says some of the messages “are extremely damaging evidence” as she faces trial on aggravated assault and other offenses. The boy is permanently disabled after suffering brain damage.

The ruling was first reported by The Legal Intelligencer of Philadelphia.