Kids-for-cash judge has some convictions tossed

A federal judge Monday reversed some of disgraced former Judge Mark A. Ciavarella Jr.’s convictions, finding that his trial attorneys’ failure to pursue a statute of limitations defense “may have altered the outcome” of his trial.

Ciavarella, 67, was convicted of 12 of 39 charges for accepting kickbacks in exchange for funneling juvenile defendants to detention centers built by wealthy developer Robert K. Mericle’s construction firm and operated by companies controlled by former local attorney Robert Powell.

He was seeking reversal on some of those counts, arguing his trial attorneys were ineffective for failing to raise statute of limitations claims before the jury.

More >> Kids-for-cash judge has some convictions tossed

More >> I'm sorry, but this guy should be beaten in a jail cell.