Commissioners Hire Special Counsel For DA Defense

Washington County Commissioners held an emergency voting meeting Friday to authorize the hiring of special counsel to defend the District Attorney. In a unanimous vote, commissioners approved attorney Shohin Vance of the law firm Saxton & Stump to represent Jason Walsh at a fee of $480 per hour. The action comes after the Philadelphia law firm, The Atlantic Center for Capital Representation filed a petition with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court asking for a King’s Bench hearing to examine the practices of Walsh as they pertain to his use of the death penalty. That petition was filed last month. The Atlantic Center is representing Jordan Clarke, of Peters Township who is accused of a fatal assault of his 11 month old son in 2022. They are also representing Joshua George of Smith Township, who is accused of fatally assaulting his six month old son in 2021. Recently, Coroner Tim Warco stated that he filed a false autopsy in the Clarke case because he was coerced by Walsh to do so. During the meeting, two residents spoke against using taxpayer funds to defend Walsh, and also questioned why no means of defense was made for Warco. Commissioner Chairman Nick Sherman says that the county’s insurance policy will cover the costs of the case. He also said that Warco has not requested the assistance of the county for legal defense. Sherman explained that the quick nature of the action was necessary because briefs are due in front of the Supreme Court on Tuesday.