Several non-jury trials are scheduled for Indiana County Court today, including one for 30-year-old Heather Marie Tyger of Homer City. She’s charged with endangering the welfare of children, two counts of driving under the influence (second offense), and three summary traffic violations in a case from April of last year. The case has taken a few twists and turns, including questions about her psychological state and whether or not she was fit to stand trial. After first granting a defense request to employ a psychologist to evaluate Tyger, Judge William Martin met with her in court and questioned her. Based on her responses, he determined that she indeed is competent to stand trial, which, at her request, will be non-jury. Although her criminal docket sheet lists her for trial before Judge Thomas Bianco today, it also notes that a hearing is scheduled today.
The other trials are all for contempt for violating court orders or agreements. The defendants are 68-year-old Joseph Seriani, 37-year-old Martin Patterson, and 35-year-old Timothy McGill, who is charged in two cases.
