Pennsylvania Prosecutors Say Ex-Judge Can Get Fair Trial in Erie

May 13, 2008

Pennsylvania prosecutors say former Superior Court Judge Michael Joyce's insurance fraud trial should remain in Erie's federal court.

The 59-year-old Joyce wants the trial moved to U.S. District Court in Pittsburgh. His attorneys claim news coverage has generated prejudice toward him and spawned a "media feeding frenzy'' in northwestern Pennsylvania.

But prosecutors say in a motion filed Friday that coverage of Joyce's case has been light compared with cases such as Enron and Watergate in which change of venue requests were denied.

Joyce is accused of defrauding two insurance companies out of $440,000 by allegedly exaggerating loss claims because of a 2001 car crash.

Joyce, of Millcreek Township, was indicted in August and retired in January.

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Information from: Erie Times-News