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WILKES-BARRE — Denied.
Luzerne County Judge David W. Lupas in a brief hearing Wednesday ruled against a motion that would have reduced the bail and likely freed alleged hit-and-run suspect and repeat DUI offender Michael Scavone, 50, who stood silently in shackles during testimony.
Citing Scavone’s lengthy criminal history, District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis, lead prosecutor in the case, said Scavone poses a “very serious risk of hurting another individual” if released and urged Lupas to deny the motion.
Scavone, 50, of Harveys Lake, is awaiting trial on charges of homicide by vehicle while under the influence, along with seven other related offenses.
Scavone is accused of killing 31-year-old Paula Jones on June 7 in a fatal hit-and-run crash as the triathlete from Factoryville jogged along Lakeside Drive in Harveys Lake.
Scavone had told investigators he spent the day drinking beer and Yukon Jack liqueur and didn’t know how much he’d had to drink. An analysis later revealed Scavone had a blood-alcohol level of .214 two hours after the fatal crash.
A motion filed earlier this month by defense attorney John Pike sought to have Scavone’s bail reduced from $400,000 to $125,000, which Scavone could afford.
Pike wrote in the motion that Scavone is needed at home to provide care for his 75-year-old mother, Rosemary Scavone.
Rosemary Scavone, speaking softly and seated in a chair during testimony Wednesday, told the court her son would “carry her to the bathroom” among other assistance he had provided.
Rosemary Scavone testified that she suffers from spinal, leg and cardiac issues and sees three doctors every two months.
“No one else is available for care,” she said.
Lupas, however, said there were “other ways to care for (Rosemary Scavone’s) needs other than releasing the defendant.”
In court filings, Pike also wrote that Michael Scavone suffers from kidney cancer and requires regular treatments to prevent the loss of his remaining kidney. Scavone also suffers from fibromyalgia, a disorder that can prompt chronic muscle pain and sleep loss, according to the filing.
“Prisons have physicians,” Lupas said, adding that Scavone is able to be transferred if medical emergencies arise.
The case is scheduled to go to trial Feb. 29.