Stabbing suspect asks for release

WILKES-BARRE – A West Hazleton man charged with stabbing another man in the leg after a fight in June 2011 has asked to be released from prison on bail because it has been more than 180 days since his arrest and he has not yet been brought to trial.

Pedro Delgado, 25, of North Third Street, appeared in Luzerne County Court on Wednesday for a pre-trial hearing with his attorney, Mark Bufalino.

Delgado was charged on June 19, 2011, after an altercation on 3rd and Mine streets in Hazleton, where Wendy Henriquez told police Delgado stabbed him in the leg.

In February, Delgado asked that he be released on nominal bail because has had been jailed for more than 180 days.

Early last month, Delgado also made a request to have the charges against him dismissed because it had been more than 365 days since his arrest and he had yet to stand trial – a violation of his speedy trial rights.

Judge Lesa Gelb ordered that Catholic Social Services come up with a plan and assessment of where Delgado will go and what he will do if released before she addresses the nominal bail issue.

Gelb set another hearing on the request for Aug. 28.

Delgado also expressed concerns that he still has not been scheduled to stand trial on two counts of aggravated assault, two counts of simple assault and one count each of reckless endangerment and harassment.

Gelb scheduled a tentative trial date for Oct. 9.