DAs defend handling of Gricar case

By Pete Bosak

BELLEFONTE — Eight district attornies and members of the Pennsylvania District Attorney Association held a news conference to support Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira and to condemn criticism leveled at him by Mountour County’s top prosecutor.

The men also rallied in defense of Union County District Attorney Peter Johnson and state Attorney General Tom Corbett, who they said were unfairly and unethically ripped by Montour County District Attorney Bob Buehner for what he called a “shameful” investigation into the April 15, 2005 disappearance of former Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar.

“We certainly understand and share the intense desire to see a resolution to this case,” said PDAA President and Carbon County District Attorney Gary Dobias. “However, our personal desire for answers cannot and should not take precedent over Pennsylvania laws and jurisdiction. Nor should it turn into personal, vicious attacks against the public servants who have shown nothing but professional dedication and determination in solving this case despite little evidence.”

“Ray Gricar’s case is tough,” he said, “but it has been handled right.”

Buehner strongly disagrees and held a news conference Tuesday in Lewisburg where he blasted Madeira and Corbett primarily. Buehner had sent Madeira and Johnson a letter nearly 30 days earlier detailing three potential leads he felt were missed. Madeira did not respond to Buehner until learning of the news conference the night before.

But the panel assembled Thursday that praised the investigation soon came under fire from the audience of news reporters and local attornies when they conceded they do not know much about the investigation they were praising.

They have never been asked by Madeira to review the case files or to meet to review the investigatoin in detail, said the members, who argued that they have trust in Madeira and law enforcement.

The panel appeared to do the same thing they were criticizing Buehner for. While the PDAA members praised the investigation, they said Buehner had no right to criticize it.

“Does that make any sense?” said Buehner afterwards, who attended the news conference univited.