Deadline extension granted in Morris case
The state Office of Open Records has been granted a deadline extension to rule on PGN’s request for certified records pertaining to the Nizah Morris incident.
PGN wants the OOR to order the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office to provide the records. A decision was due on Aug. 10. But this week, the OOR requested a seven-day extension, which both sides agreed to.
The OOR decision is now due on or before Aug. 17.
Morris was a transgender woman found with a fatal head wound in 2002, shortly after she received a courtesy ride from Officer Elizabeth Skala. Her homicide remains unsolved.
Inexplicably, Skala initiated a traffic stop while she was assigned to handle Morris, who was intoxicated. PGN’s open-records request pertains to dispatch records for the traffic stop.
“Officer Skala’s vehicle stop is a major component of the Nizah Morris incident,” PGN told the OOR. “It affected the city’s response to Ms. Morris, and it played a significant role in the lack of a prompt criminal investigation. It’s in the public interest to have accountability and transparency in the Morris case, including full access to all dispatch records relating to Officer Skala’s vehicle stop.”
Marriages remain in limbo
Almost two months after the U.S. Supreme Court established national marriage equality, the validity of about 100 same-sex marriage licenses issued in Montgomery County remains unsettled.
County officials have said they’re working hard to obtain validation of the licenses, which were issued by Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes.
Hanes issued the licenses in 2013, before marriage equality was established in Pennsylvania
Michael P. Clarke, an attorney for Hanes, couldn’t be reached for comment. In prior interviews, Clarke said he hoped to have the situation resolved soon.
“We are in the final stages of wrapping this up,” Clarke said July 6. “I anticipate something in the next few weeks. I will update you at that time.”
— Timothy Cwiek
Venture running trip to Reading Phils game
Venture Inn is organizing a bus trip to the Reading Fightin’ Phils’ LGBT Night Aug 17.
Venture’s Sandy Beach will throw out the first pitch at the game, which kicks off at 7:05 p.m.
Free tickets to the third-annual game are available through Reading Pride Celebration. A $25 ticket includes an all-you-can-eat buffet before the game. Contact Anthony Pignetti at [email protected] or call 215-375-8469 ext. 223 for more information about the buffet tickets.
Call Venture Inn at 215-545-8731 for more information about the bus trip.
— Jen Colletta