Slashing in Gayborhood
A man and woman are wanted in connection with a razor attack in the Gayborhood last weekend.
The incident took place at 2 a.m. June 12 in the 1200 block of Locust Street. In what is described as a fight that started over social-media postings, two women suffered multiple lacerations on their bodies and faces. The women knew their attackers, police say.
The victims were transported to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. Their conditions are unknown.
Arrests have not yet been made, according to a police spokesperson.
Memorial to be held for Elder Initiative leader
A community memorial will be held this month for longtime community advocate Ed Bomba.
The public is invited to celebrate Bomba’s life from 1-4:30 p.m. June 26 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St.
Bomba died in February from complications of surgery. He was a longtime advocate for LGBT, HIV/AIDS, senior and disability causes.
Bomba was a founding member of the LGBT Elder Initiative, first serving on the working group that formed the organization and later as an inaugural board member and chair of its communications committee.
Fundraiser for Washington West Civic Association
Three Gayborhood restaurants plan to donate a portion of their dinner proceeds next week to the Washington West Civic Association.
Valanni, Mercato and Varga Bar will all donate a quarter of diners’ food bills to the association June 23. The organization works to foster, protect and promote the welfare of the Washington West neighborhood, which includes the Gayborhood.
For more information, visit www.washwestcivic.org.
— Jen Colletta
Town denies open-records request
St. Clair, Pa., officials have denied a request by PGN for a copy of the official police report for an incident last month involving trans woman Kate Lynn Blatt.
On May 28, Blatt allegedly was denied access to a female fitting room at a Walmart store in St. Clair.
A disturbance allegedly ensued, and onlookers allegedly hurled profanities and death threats at Blatt, while also misgendering her. A St. Clair police officer arrived and allegedly advised Blatt that she may receive a citation in the mail.
St. Clair officials released a written narrative of the incident, but said the official police report will be withheld from the public, citing an exemption for the release of such reports in the state’s Right-to-Know Law.
As of presstime, Blatt hadn’t received a citation from St. Clair police.
Inmate seeks funds for medical review
Kenneth J. Houck Jr., an openly gay federal inmate who was brutally assaulted five years ago, recently requested funds for an expert medical evaluation.
In 2011, Houck was assaulted by two other inmates at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. Houck’s leg was broken in multiple places, and he continues to walk with a limp.
Last year, Houck, 41, filed suit against the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, seeking $1.8 million in damages. Houck contends prison authorities failed to provide him with adequate medical care, resulting in “cruel and unusual punishment.”
His two-page request for funding for a medical review was filed with U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen M. Tafoya on June 1.
In the request, Houck notes that he has “no money to afford to pay for such a professional service.” He also states that a medical review is needed to support his medical-negligence claim.
Houck is imprisoned for transporting child pornography. His scheduled release date is June 11, 2018.
Court reiterates denial of new trial for rapist
Last month, state Superior Court reiterated its denial of a new trial for Jeffrey J. Marsalis, who sexually assaulted three local women prior to traveling to Idaho and raping a lesbian.
On March 7, a three-judge panel of state Superior Court denied Marsalis’ request for a new trial. But later that month, Marsalis filed a petition for reconsideration, which was denied May 20.
Marsalis allegedly sedated his victims with a date-rape drug prior to sexually assaulting them. He denies the allegations, according to court papers.
Marsalis claims the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office should have been disqualified from the case because the agency wrongfully accused him of raping a local prosecutor.
He also contends that the trial judge, Steven R. Geroff, was prejudiced against him, thus preventing him from receiving a fair trial.
Marsalis, 43, remains incarcerated at a state prison in Marienville.
— Timothy Cwiek