Hearing continued on Leschinskie's motion to reconsider sentencing for terroristic threats

No new court date has been scheduled.

In his motion for reconsideration of Woelfel’s July 26 sentence on the misdemeanor charge Leschinskie was found guilty of by a jury at a trial on May 17, O’Donnell claims there was a breakdown in the court system that denied his client’s post-sentence motion by operation of the court. The defense attorney claimed Northumberland County Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Jamie Saleski nor anyone else in her office ever served an order denying his post-sentence motion.

In addition to seeking a new sentence for his client, O’Donnell said he was seeking a new trial based on case law, lack of evidence at the trial and the mentioning of Leschinskie being a convicted felon on drug offenses at his trial, which alluded to his prior criminal record.

O’Donnell attempted to forego his request for a continuance by having Saleski or someone in her office testify at Tuesday’s hearing that an order was never served on Leschinskie stating that his post-sentence motion was denied. But Saleski was off Tuesday and nobody else in her office was available to testify.

The defense attorney then requested a continuance, which was granted by the judge, who replied, “This is unbelievable. It’s a waste of everyone’s time and effort.”

O’Donnell and Leschinskie also were disturbed about another delay in the case.

After the hearing, Zenzinger stated, “The commonwealth will be ready for another hearing, whenever that occurs.”

On Aug. 24, Leschinskie filed a notice to appeal his sentencing on the terroristic threats charge to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, which allowed him to at least temporarily avoid prison time. He was scheduled to begin his jail sentence Aug. 29, but remains free on bail due to his appeal.

In addition to the jail time, Leschinskie was ordered by Woelfel to serve three years of consecutive probation, pay court costs and supervision fees and abide by all probation and parole conditions. He was given credit for one day previously served in jail.

The jury found Leschinskie guilty of making terroristic threats against Erik Seidel following a Sept. 14, 2020, city council meeting. He was charged with threatening to punch Seidel in the mouth.

Leschinskie was facing a minimum sentence of probation and a maximum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and/or $10,000 fine for the offense.

The defendant was found not guilty by the jury of four other offenses, including terroristic threats against Seidel’s wife, Jennifer Seidel, who was a councilwoman at the time of the alleged offenses, and three misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct.

Woelfel, who presided at the trial, found Leschinskie not guilty of three summary counts of disorderly conduct.

On March 30, then-Northumberland County President Judge Charles H. Saylor, who has since retired to become a senior judge, removed Leschinskie from office based on the defendant’s decision to plead guilty June 20, 2009, to two felony counts of possessing with intent to deliver cocaine. Saylor ruled it is unconstitutional for a convicted felon to hold public office.

Leschinskie, who was elected to office in November 2021, served three months as a city councilman and recently announced his intention to run for council in this year’s election.