Trial postponed in ICandy case
A jury trial in an ICandy slip-and-fall lawsuit has been postponed until March, due to scheduling conflicts.
Alina T. Zabroski says a fog-producing machine at ICandy contributed to unsafe conditions on the premises, causing her to fall on a stairway and sustain serious injuries.
The alleged incident occurred about 1:15 a.m. Nov. 23, 2013, at the popular LGBT nightclub, located at 254 S. 12th St.
In September 2014, Zabroski filed suit against ICandy in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, seeking in excess of $50,000 in damages.
Efforts to settle have been unavailing, and the case initially was scheduled for a jury trial in February.
A jury trial has been rescheduled for March, though an exact trial date hasn’t been announced, according to court records.
No response from government in Supreme Court matter
The U.S. Justice Department has declined to respond to an appeal filed in the U.S. Supreme Court by a Philadelphia-area attorney convicted of a sex-related offense.
Kenneth Schneider, a Philadelphia-area attorney who traveled with a 15-year-old boy to Russia with the intention of sexually abusing him, wants the high court to overturn his conviction.
A federal jury convicted Schneider in 2010, and his conviction was upheld by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals last year.
But on Jan. 4, Schneider asked the Supreme Court to review his case.
Schneider claims he was charged outside the five-year statute of limitations because he was charged in 2010 and his alleged crime occurred in 2001.
The court is expected to announce whether it will review Schneider’s case later this month.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Justice Department had no comment for this update.
Interviews with gay train engineer released
Two interviews with Brandon Bostian, an openly gay locomotive engineer involved in last year’s local Amtrak derailment, were released last week.
The interviews were among thousands of pages of investigative records released by the National Transportation and Safety Board, which is investigating the crash.
The incident occurred at 9:21 p.m. May 12 in North Philadelphia. Eight passengers were killed, and more than 200 were injured.
The train had just entered the Frankford Junction curve at a speed of 106 mph, where the speed is restricted to 50 mph, when the locomotive and all seven passenger cars derailed. In June, the NTSB suspended Bostian’s locomotive-engineer certificate for operating the train at excessive speeds.
In his interviews, Bostian said he has a vague memory of slamming on the emergency brake around the time of the derailment. He also recalled being concerned by a report that rocks were being thrown at trains, shortly before the incident.
Investigators said Bostian tested negative for drugs and alcohol after the crash, and he wasn’t talking on his cell phone during the derailment.
Bostian also told investigators he had Lasik surgery prior to the accident, resulting in an “unbelievable” improvement in his vision.
A final report by the NTSB is expected later this year.
Extension granted in prison case
A magistrate judge has granted the federal government an additional 30 days to respond to the lawsuit filed by openly gay inmate Kenneth J. Houck.
In 2011, Houck was brutally assaulted by two other inmates while detained at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. Houck’s leg was broken in multiple places during the assault, and he continues to walk with a limp.
Last year, Houck filed suit against the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, seeking $1.8 million in damages.
Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya granted the U.S. Justice Department an additional 30 days to respond to Houck’s suit.
In a Jan. 25 legal brief, Justice Department attorneys said they’re “diligently working” on the case, but need more time to file a formal response.
Houck is imprisoned for transporting child pornography. His scheduled release date is June 11, 2018.
— Timothy Cwiek
LGBT businesses encouraged to participate in DNC
The host committee for the 2016 Democratic National Convention is looking for an event-planning firm to organize three major events in Philadelphia the week before the July convention.
The welcoming events include a volunteer party July 21, an event for media and convention attendees July 23 and an event for delegates and Democratic Party officials July 24. Several thousand people are expected to attend each one.
Independence Business Alliance, the Philadelphia region’s LGBT chamber of commerce, is helping LGBT vendors prepare to submit their information to the host committee’s request for qualifications, which is due Feb. 17. Selections will be made Feb. 29.
The event planner will be responsible for things like themes and décor, setup and takedown, providing entertainment and arranging food and beverage among other things, according to the DNC request for qualifications.
To submit qualifications, visit www.phldnc.com/vendors. For help from the IBA, call 215-557-0190.
Pride night at Reading Royals
The Reading Royals hockey team is hosting a game Feb. 19 to benefit Reading Pride, the city’s LGBT organization. It’s the second annual Reading Pride Night.
The Royals will play the Manchester Monarchs from New Hampshire in the game, which is set to start at 7 p.m. It takes place at Santander Arena, 700 Penn St., Reading. Tickets cost $15, and a portion of the proceeds support Reading Pride’s social and educational programs.
To purchase tickets, visit www.royalshockey.com. Go to the “Group Central” tab and enter the code “ReadingPride.” Tickets will be available at the will-call counter before the game. For more information, contact Derrick Leshko at 610-898-7216.
Tax guide for LGBT people
The National LGBTQ Task Force this month launched an income-tax preparation guide for LGBT people. The new resource is available to download by visiting www.queerourtaxes.org.
“LGBTQ people are disproportionally more likely to live at or below the poverty line,” Meghan Maury, criminal and economic justice director with the Task Force, said in a statement.
Maury added the goal is to help LGBT people get tax credits and deductions they may not know about. She said deductions are available for out-of-pocket costs related to transition care, including surgery. People may also claim credit for adoption-related expenses.
— Paige Cooperstein