Click here to subscribe today or Login.
First Posted: 1/25/2013
WILKES-BARRE – Luzerne County prosecutors are asking a judge to jail Daniel Loughnane on allegations he violated conditions of his bail by intimidating a witness who is the mother of his child.
Loughnane, 40, of West Liberty Street, Hanover Township, is free on $50,000 bail on charges he left the scene after he allegedly struck Rebecca McCallick, 19, in front of her apartment on Hazle Avenue on July 24. McCallick died at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.
McCallick’s boyfriend, John Schenck, testified at Loughnane’s preliminary hearing on Jan. 3 that she was lying in the middle of Hazle Avenue when she was struck by what city police say was a Ford F250 pickup truck.
Loughnane’s former girlfriend, Jesse Spencer, testified at the preliminary hearing as a prosecution witness. She said Loughnane discussed the fatal accident with her.
Spencer and Loughnane share custody of a 7-year-old boy.
After District Judge Rick Cronauer forwarded the charge against Loughnane to county court, he was ordered not to have any contact with Spencer except to discuss visits with their son.
According to a petition filed by Deputy District Attorney Alexis C. Falvello, Spencer received a cellphone voice message in a threatening manner from Loughnane on Jan. 15, indicating Spencer has no problem showing up at court.
During a phone call on Jan. 16 with Spencer, Loughnane allegedly made references to her testimony at the preliminary hearing and her continued cooperation with law enforcement.
Loughnane allegedly told Spencer, When all the court stuff is done, (their son) is going to hate her, and suggested Spencer, should have kept her (expletive) mouth shut or none of this would be happening.
Loughnane continued to tell Spencer that she is attempting to put him in jail and their son will one day resent her for cooperating with police, according to the petition.
A hearing on the petition is scheduled on Jan. 31 in Penn Place.
Edward Lewis, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7196.