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Debbie O'Dell Seneca
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Embattled Washington County judge to step down

Embattled Washington County judge to step down

Embattled Washington County President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca, who has been the subject of controversy and complaints in recent years, announced Tuesday that she will be retiring from the bench.

It came as welcome news to some attorneys in Washington County.

“I believe it will be an absolutely wonderful breath of fresh air to work under new leadership,” said Washington lawyer Joseph Francis.

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Judge O’Dell Seneca, 61, the county’s first female judge, will be stepping down almost halfway through her third 10-year term.

Last year, she was accused by local lawyers of altering a murder trial transcript to remove her own intemperate comments and of eavesdropping on private conversations through a security system she had installed in the 100-year-old courthouse.

And last month, Judge O’Dell Seneca was stripped of her administrative duties — such as assigning cases and managing court personnel — after the county’s other judges complained to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, which oversees the judiciary.

Her former responsibilities for caseload management, administration of personnel, assignment of judges and working with the county commissioners were assumed by Senior Judge Joseph M. James of Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. He was named interim administrative judge of Washington County.

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Judge O’Dell Seneca continued to carry a full caseload.

Lawyer Noah Geary said Judge O’Dell Seneca’s retirement will not stop him from continuing to pursue what he sees as justice for his clients, including appeals he has filed seeking audiotapes of trials to prove transcripts were altered.

“I stand on the allegations I‘ve made in pleadings, which include the substantive tampering of transcripts and felony wiretap violations,” Mr. Geary said.

More recently, the judge was named in a whistleblower lawsuit brought by David Scrip, former county juvenile probation officer, which accused her of mismanaging the department.

The judge declined to comment Tuesday but released a statement thanking voters and colleagues.

“I want to thank the voters of Washington County for electing me on three occasions, and entrusting me with the honor of serving our citizens for the last 23 years,” she said. “After thousands of cases, these citizens have continually inspired me with their commitment to their role in the jury system. It has been a rewarding and enriching experience every day, and I look forward to new professional challenges.”

Mr. Geary said he hopes more information regarding her decision will soon be forthcoming.

“It needs to be learned why she is resigning, because that may be relevant to [Mr. Scrip’s] whistleblower lawsuit,” he said.

First Published: December 30, 2014, 9:00 p.m.
Updated: December 31, 2014, 4:24 a.m.

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