Washington County Coroner’s Office Searched Again

The Washington County Coroner’s Office has been searched again, this time, by the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office.  They say they assisted Monessen Police in executing the search warrant to obtain documents needed for an investigation.  “This is uncharted territory for our office. As a law enforcement agency, the Monessen Police Department is entitled to material pursuant to a criminal investigation and prosecution. Pursuing justice and accountability shouldn’t come at a cost to the victim, the victim’s family, or public safety,” Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole W. Ziccarelli said. This is the second time the office was searched.  Last November, a search warrant was executed amid a dispute over access to autopsy reports.  The Washington County District Attorney’s Office, Pennsylvania State Police, Washington City Police and Canonsburg Police all searched for autopsy reports connected to five cases.  Officials said investigators and the DA’s office had repeatedly requested the documents and were denied.  The DA’s office said it was told three reports were available but would only be released for a fee of about $700 each. District Attorney Jason Walsh said those reports were essential to prosecuting crimes and serving victims.  Coroner Tim Warco at the time, said he had decided to charge fees because his office wasn’t receiving police reports needed to complete autopsies and related records.