Ex-Pa. magistrate wants release in child sex case

MEDIA, Pa. (AP) — A suburban Philadelphia district judge sentenced to six months in jail for molesting a 12-year-old girl wants to be freed six weeks into his sentence.

Gerald Liberace, 71, says in a petition filed last week that his continued incarceration serves no purpose. His attorney notes also that the specific accusations against him and his status as a former judge create “special difficulties” for his incarceration.

Liberace was convicted in January 2011 of corruption of minors and child endangerment for his contact with a girl left in his care in 2004. He began serving his sentence in August after a series of appeals failed.

Prosecutors tell the Delaware County Daily Times they are opposing the request, saying Liberace is merely trying to avoid a just punishment.