April 17, 2025 • 30 mins
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Kathryn Lehman's path from social worker to judicial candidate reveals a professional journey shaped by genuine concern for community welfare and justice. After witnessing courtroom proceedings while advocating for troubled teens, Lehman realized her calling extended beyond social work into the legal realm—prompting her to attend law school at night while maintaining her full-time position.
This unique foundation gives Lehman something increasingly rare in our judicial system: perspective from both sides of the courtroom. Having spent five years as a public defender before transitioning to nearly nine years in the district attorney's office, she brings balanced insight to her candidacy for Berks County Common Pleas Judge. As supervisor of the drug task force, she has prosecuted some of the county's most dangerous offenders, including securing convictions in the largest fentanyl seizure in county history.
What distinguishes Lehman's candidacy is her unwavering commitment to applying the law fairly while understanding the human elements behind each case. "When you are doing the right thing, you can't worry about those things," she notes when discussing difficult decisions, emphasizing that integrity must guide judicial action even when decisions might be unpopular. This philosophy has earned her bipartisan endorsements from prominent figures across the political spectrum, including District Attorney John Adams and State Representative Eric Weaknecht.
The primary election on May 20th presents Berks County voters with an opportunity to elect someone uniquely qualified for the bench—the only candidate with extensive trial experience for what is fundamentally a trial judge position. Consider supporting Kathryn Lehman, whose blend of legal expertise, practical courtroom experience, and compassionate understanding offers the balanced approach our judicial system needs.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
from real estate affects the market as a whole,
which then sometimes will affectthe right.
You know the real life we alllearn in different ways.
If you think about it, waynedyer might not attract everybody
and everything in between.
The mission was really to helppeople just to reach their full
potential the brad weisman andnow your host, Brad Wiseman.
(00:26):
All right, we're back Thursday 7pm, like every other Thursday,
with a new show and I'm prettysure you're going to really like
this show.
It's a little different.
We got somebody in here that Ishould actually be nervous about
, because she's running forjudge and she's an attorney and
just in case I ever screw up,you know what we might get a
little get out of jail free cardor something.
(00:47):
Who knows you might.
I don't know, it's likeMonopoly, who knows?
But no, on a serious note, wedo have Catherine Lehman here.
She is running for Berks CountyCommon Pleas Judge and I was
told by many people that she'samazing.
Many of my friends have saidshe's incredible and they said
amazing.
Many of my friends have saidshe's incredible and they said
you got to have her on the show.
So that's why she's here.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
How are you doing, Catherine?
I'm doing well.
How are you?
Speaker 1 (01:07):
I'm doing great.
My daughter's name is Catherinetoo, spelled a little different
.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
That's right, but I love the name.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
K-A-T-H-R-Y-N is the best way, that's the best way.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Well, my daughter might have some thoughts about
that.
It All right, so let's getright from the beginning here.
So you graduated fromShippensburg University?
Yes, okay, you have a master'sdegree from Boston College for
social work.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Correct.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
And you went to Waterloo University in
Harrisburg to be an attorney.
Correct, yes, and how long agowas that?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Well, I graduated from Exeter and then I went
right to Shippensburg.
So I graduated fromShippensburg University in 2005.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Immediately went for my master's and I took about six
months.
I was working with delinquentteenagers and we would go to
court, and that's what kind ofmotivated me to go to law school
, because I didn't know what wewere doing in court.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Because at least she admits it At that point you had
no clue what was going on incourt.
And that's awesome.
So you didn't know.
You wanted to be an attorneyright away.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
That's correct.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
You thought that the social work was going to be it.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yes, absolutely.
I had suffered a family tragedywhen I was in high school and
Exeter connected me with asocial worker.
When I was 18 and going tocollege, I had no idea what I
wanted to do with my life.
And so I thought why not socialwork?
So it was through that that Idecided I was going to take this
(02:32):
path, and I started workingwith delinquent teenagers and
advocating for them to stay inthe home as opposed to being
removed, and that's kind of whatled me to law school because,
like I said, I didn't know whatwe were doing.
I had a very small part inadvocating for them and then
from there I I didn't know theprocess.
So I needed to educate myself,and that's why I went to law
school at night.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Yeah, and that's like that's a big decision.
It's not like you just go, oh,I'm going to law school.
I mean that's right, I meanthat's a serious thing.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I always think of doctors, a full-time job,
working with the delinquentteenagers and their families,
and then at night I would go tolaw school.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
So, um, and I ended up still graduating in three
years because I went full-timewhile I was there.
Yeah, exactly she's smart.
Yeah, she's definitely smart.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Do you ever get called smarty pants at me?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
No, not really.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Especially not by my husband, your husband's, here.
His name's.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Guy right, yes, how you doing Guy, I'm great.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Thank you, Good, good , good.
That's nice and very supportivethat your husband's here, I am
Very blessed.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
That's awesome, yes.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
You are blessed.
That's great.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
And he served the city and the public for a long
time.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
He still is I police officer.
He has accomplished so muchwhile he was there, and now he
is in the sheriff's office.
He's the captain of thewarrants in the canine division.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Yeah, awesome, very cool We've had.
You know it's funny, we've hadthe canines actually in the
studio.
I'm not kidding, they actuallywere in the studio from the
sheriff's department were in thestudio.
It was crazy.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
It was really cool.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
That was different trying to calm down a dog.
Those dogs are a little hyper.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yes, yeah, and they were all over the place.
It was pretty funny.
He was a canine handler for thesheriffs before he was promoted
, so we do have a retired canine, oh that's really cool, very
cool, very cool.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
That's awesome.
I'm glad you didn't bring him.
I love dogs, but it would havebeen a little crazy.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
He's a little older now, so he's a little bit calmed
down.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
That's good.
That's good.
So from out of law school,where did you go from there?
Speaker 2 (04:23):
So I started in the public defender's office in
Bronx County.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I moved and that's not easy either.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
No, it's not an easy job.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Because you're a public defender means that those
people have no money, correct,and you're defending them,
correct.
So, whether you like them ornot, oh yes, absolutely.
That's the part.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Well, right, everyone is afforded due process.
Yes, which is great, that'sgreat.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
It's a great thing.
I'm not downing, I'm justsaying she's like everybody's, I
know that.
I wasn't saying we should putpeople to jail for no reason.
I'm just saying that basicallywhat defenders one.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
They get a bad rap, which is really unnecessary.
They're dealing with casesevery single day in court, every
different type of crime andevery type of personality that
comes through, and then theyhave a much higher caseload than
a lot of private attorneys.
And no knock on privateattorneys I mean their job is
equally as difficult.
But you don't get to say, hey,you didn't pay me this month or
(05:24):
we have differences in how toproceed.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It's your client is your client and thank God we
have that.
Yeah, absolutely Thank God wehave that, because there's no
reason that you should have tohave money to be able to defend
yourself.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Right, or to have a good attorney.
Yeah, right, exactly.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
That's cool.
So you go into that and now youare in the DA's office.
That's where you are now, right, that's correct.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
So I spent five years in the public defender's office
and now I'm entering my ninthyear in the district attorney's
office.
Do you have to work with JohnAdams?
I do.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
I'm sorry about that.
So sorry about that.
No, he's a good guy.
I like John John's awesome.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
He's a great boss.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, he's a good guy and I've sold homes to one of
his daughters.
I sold a house to Okay, yeah,yeah absolutely, they're good
people.
Funny story too, his wife.
When COVID happened I walk intoGovernor Mifflin, to the gym of
Governor Mifflin, and it was myfirst shot for COVID.
I walk up and all of a sudden Isee Betsy.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
And she's like I'm going to love doing this shot.
I'm like, oh, she was the firstshot I got from COVID.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah, Betsy's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Oh yeah, she is, she's great, so okay, so also
one of the things you do you'reBerks County Field Hockey
Officials Association, so youofficiate for Berks County for
field hockey.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yes, so middle school .
Speaker 1 (06:35):
In your free time?
Obviously, In my free time, yes.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
So middle school and high school, and then I also do
some collegiate field hockeyUnbelievable.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
Did you do that in college?
Were you playing or?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
anything.
No, I played at Exeter and then, once I graduated, I didn't
play and then I startedofficiating, probably maybe 15
years ago, I'm not exactly sureI've been the president of the
officials for probably eightyears.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
That's awesome and you know what they need.
That People you know it's funny.
They're having a tough time nowwith officials for basketball,
all the different things.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
For all the sports.
Yeah, nobody wants to do itanymore.
This is a huge plug.
If you're listening, we needyou?
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Yes, plug, plug, plug .
You can plug, go for it we needyou.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
We can't sports If we don't have officials that show
up.
It's great way to be involved.
It's a great way, it's greatextra money, um, but it's also
really wonderful to like givethose kids a little bit of
encouragement and just like keepthem on the field.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Cool.
I'm glad you do that, that'scool.
Cause our kids, our kids, uh,benefit from, like my son's in
basketball and Catherine plays afield hockey and and you know,
and the coaches too, we alwayssay that.
You know it's tough becausenobody wants to be coach anymore
these days, so and it's a kindof a thankless job.
You get yelled at by parentssometimes, which is always,
always nice, but yeah, so that'sreally cool.
(07:54):
I'm glad you do that.
It's a nice giving back andnice way to to help out young
kids.
So let's go into a little bitmore of you.
So you, you're at the districtattorney's office, eric Weakneck
, who is now our state rep, astate rep now both endorsed you.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
For the choice of judge.
Yes, that's amazing.
Yes, because you got you know,those guys do get along too.
They both get along very well,but it's just two different
things.
And they're coming together andsaying look, yeah, we support
you.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yeah, it's really so.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Barry Chlauk supports you.
Yes, yeah, ari Chlauk supportsyou.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Yeah, I saw him on there.
He's another one.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
But that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Yeah, it's incredible .
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yeah, it is.
So when did you make thedecision to do?
Speaker 2 (08:34):
this, so I can tell you the exact day.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Okay, go for it May 23rd of 2024.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Guy and I made the decision to run.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
That's cool.
You involved him in thedecision.
Oh, the spouse always has to beinvolved in that, because it's
a lot of work.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
It's a lot of work.
It's a lot of sleepless nightsand it's a lot of anxiety and
stress and not everybody's nice.
Not everyone is nice Noteverybody's nice.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
No, I've noticed that I was involved with a campaign
for my friend to try and get onschool board and it was amazing
Some of the things that I evengot told or said on to me, and I
wasn't the one running, I wasjust supporting my buddy and
it's incredible you get somehateful things said to you.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
I'm very fortunate.
We've been very, we've receivedreally great positive feedback
so far.
I mean knock on wood, of course, but it's been, it's been a
good experience so far.
I have to not going not goingto what, of course, but um, it's
been, it's been a goodexperience so far.
I have to say that it's betterthan I expected it to be, if
that makes sense, yeah.
Yeah, I'm just very fortunatethat he is by my side and
supportive in this, because Idon't know how you would do it
(09:41):
without.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Yeah, yeah.
Plus, he carries guns.
That's always a good thing.
I had to say it.
I mean, come on, he's apoliceman for how many years.
He's like your own bodyguard.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
You're pretty lucky that way.
He's been called that severaltimes on the campaign trail.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yeah see, I know.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I know.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
When Eric used to come in here he'd be packing.
I know Now he's a state rep.
I'm not sure he might be justpacking a sandwich, kind of a
granola bar or something, butyeah, so, yeah, that's awesome.
Now tell me, what does it taketo do the common police judge,
like what?
Why do you feel that you areset up for this and what does it
take to do that job?
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Well, I think, first a common police judge is a trial
judge, so if you would getcalled in for jury duty.
I'd be the judge that presides.
I have been Okay that judge thatpresides over that jury is the
position that I'm running for.
So one of the biggest thingsabout that is it's a trial judge
position and I'm the onlycandidate running that has ever
tried a case and I try cases ona regular basis.
That is my job is to try casesas an assistant district
(10:45):
attorney, so I feel like I'mvery well qualified for that
position in order to be ready tohandle the law that comes
through, the questions that comethrough the difficult
situations, and I feel like I'muniquely prepared for that
position because it's what I doon a regular basis.
Plus, I have that social workbackground so I'm able to
determine, use that common sense.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Also maybe have some compassion.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Right, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Right, I mean, you know, I always think of judges.
I was just like mean.
You know, I think they're mean,it's just.
The first thing comes to mymind is they're mean, grumpy,
and they're not going to be fun,and no, that's what I think.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
I'm not mean.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I know you're not mean.
I mean there's times wherethere has to be some sort of
compassion involved, butobviously the law comes into
play.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
So the law is the law .
It doesn't matter if we like itor we don't like it.
That's not the judge's positionto determine that If you don't
like the law then you need towrite your legislator.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
But while I'm not mean, I am tough.
It's important to be able tomake tough decisions, and I do
that whether it's in thecourtroom or on the field hockey
field or in life in general.
Like I said, I grew up here.
I care about Berks County Good,and that's where you know.
My husband and I have dedicatedour careers to that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Yeah, yeah, we do appreciate you doing that, so
let's go into.
There's people that are alsorunning against you.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
That's correct.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Okay, we're not going to say anything mean about them
or anything like that.
No, of course not.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
No, but there's people running against you, and
is there one position?
Out of the three people thatare running?
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Yes, there's only one position, so Judge.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Sprecher retired in July of 2023.
So his position is the onlyposition that's open right now.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
So what other judges have that position that we would
know their names.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
So there's Teresa Johnson she is our first um
female president.
Judge in Berks.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
County.
She was after Schmal or no.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Uh, she was after judge Parisi and then before
judge Parisi.
I believe it was judge Yatrinand yeah, cause Jeffrey Schmal.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
I think wasn't he in there somewhere.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Yes, but now he's a federal judge, federal judge.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Yeah, we don't, don't mess with him man.
When he went to federal Iactually started being nice to
him Because he's a good guy,he's a good guy too, I like him.
But yeah, I started being realnice to him at that point
Because that's a real, that'sreally getting up there.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
How often do judges run?
Sorry, I've just no go ahead.
How often do you have to run tobe?
Speaker 2 (13:08):
So the common pleas judge is a 10-year long position
.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Oh wow, big commitment.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
And then you run for retention.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
So then it's a yes or a no.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
So the voters would vote yes to retain you or no.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
I've seen that when I go in to vote.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
So the first time when you'reon the ballot it's going to look
different.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yes, so in May, may 20th.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
This is good to bring up, so.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
May 20th is the primary and I'll be running as a
Republican and a Democratbecause it's a bipartisan
position.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
You can cross file.
It's bipartisan.
You don't want a judge who'spolitically motivated.
Nobody ever does that.
Well, it's our job In thecommon plea.
Supreme Court, Superior Court,Sure that's a little bit
different Commonwealth Court,because they're nominated Right.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
But this is a trial judge and you just want a trial
judge that's bipartisan, notpolitically motivated.
So I'll be running as aRepublican and a Democrat and
May 25th is primary, so whenthey go in you'll see my name
and the other two candidates.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
And that's countywide .
Speaker 2 (14:04):
That's countywide, all of Berks County, so we're
going to look at the CatherineLehman is the one that we're
going to want to click on ortouch or when you're mail in
ballot.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Yes, they're becoming very popular.
Yes, did that answer?
Speaker 2 (14:18):
your question yes.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Yes, that's a good question, very good question.
So 10 years, basically, andthen after that it's like a yes
or no.
So you'd really, as long asyou're doing a good job, at that
point nobody's going tohopefully bail you, bail on you,
or something like that.
Okay, good, give me an exampleof a case that might come up in
the comment, please.
You were saying it's a trial,but is it civil or criminal?
Speaker 2 (14:37):
So the position that I'm running for the president
judge decides where each judgeis assigned.
So I could be in criminal, Icould be in civil, I could be in
family court.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
We don't know that yet.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
Correct.
In civil I could be in familycourt okay, so you could be, it
doesn't?
Speaker 1 (14:50):
we don't know that yet, correct, no one knows that,
so that wasn't a dumb question.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Then, yeah, there you go.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Very important I thought for sure she was gonna
go.
Are you kidding me?
Speaker 2 (14:55):
no, no, and so those judges rotate.
Um so, almost every judgehandles the murder cases, though
.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Oh, almost every judge, yes almost every judge
handles the murder cases yes, sothey're on a rotation right
right, right right.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Oh, I see, I see, I see Okay.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
And I guess that's probably just to, so that one
person's not always doing them.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Correct, yeah, yes.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Because that's not the ones that everybody wants.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Correct, I would think yeah, right.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
Oh my gosh, that's so wild.
And we know there's peoplerunning against you and they all
cross-file.
So, no matter what, there's noDemocrat, no Republican nothing
like that.
Okay, what made you want tomove from the DA's office to
(15:40):
being a judge?
Speaker 2 (15:42):
So I'm very fortunate in the position that I have
right now and I recognize that,like I said, john is a great
boss and I've been given theopportunity to try some of our
most dangerous and violenthomicide cases.
I'm the supervisor of the drugtask force and so not only do I
prosecute drug cases, like majordrug offenders and homicides, I
(16:03):
handle every type of case thatcomes through.
This is an opportunity for meto serve Berks County in a very
different way.
Like I said, I think I have aunique balance of knowing the
law, being able to follow thelaw that's what we do in the
district attorney's office butunderstanding the spirit that's
behind that law and being ableto show a little bit of
compassion, but also being ableto make tough decisions, when a
(16:26):
lot of people have a hard timemaking tough decisions because
100% of the time 50% aren'tgoing to agree with you and you
have to be strong in your values, in your morals and who you are
in order to make those toughdecisions.
And so when this positionbecame available, I thought why
not me?
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yeah, that's cool, kind of a calling.
Yeah, yeah, it's a calling,that's cool, and if by some
chance you wouldn't get it,would you try again?
Speaker 2 (16:51):
I don't know.
We haven't looked that far yet.
We're focused.
She's going to get it, brad,she's going to get it.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Oh, I think she is too.
I mean, I'm voting for her.
I can tell you that.
Thank you, I'm made 20.
Of course I don't get hate mail.
I might need your protection.
Yeah well, that's cool, that'sawesome and it's because it's a
big deal.
Do you do you worry about?
I mean, we hear about this, youknow, in different state, local
(17:16):
.
Whatever you make a decision,do you have to worry about the
decision made, like beingfearful of other people that
didn't like your decision?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
So that's something that we I specifically have had
to deal with in the districtattorney's office.
I've had people threaten tokill me.
I've had people threaten tokill my family.
It's a tough job.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
And.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I don't mean to say that like, oh, poor me, because
I don't feel that way.
When you are doing the rightthing, you can't worry about
those things.
People aren't going to likedoing the right thing sometimes.
But when you're strong in yourvalues and your morals and, like
I said, in who you are and youknow that you have that
integrity behind it, If you'remaking decisions because it's
the best decision to make, thenyou have to be strong in that
(17:59):
conviction yeah, absolutely, andwe lack that today.
Yes, we do Right.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
There's a lot of places where we lack that today,
so it's good to hear thatthat's how you feel, um, because
it's it's not a popularitycontest.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
It's exactly right.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Yeah, definitely not, and there's too many places in
our lives today, in our country,in different places, that it
seems like it is a popularitycontest and it's just not.
So that's cool.
I like to hear that, and Iwould think people out there
would like to hear that too.
So we talked about what makesyou qualified.
Let's go into some other stuff.
Do you have any stories ofanything that you're like?
(18:32):
I don't even know what you cantell.
We were talking about this.
What you can tell, like Eric hadone.
You don't have to mention names, but Eric had this thing where
he had to go get somebody's birdas the sheriff's department.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
He had to go get a bird.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
It was part of a divorce.
He had to go get the bird outof the house and you might even
I know a guy might have beenpart of that, I don't know.
But is there anything weirdthat ever happened as a, as a
assistant, da or something?
You're like you aren't going tobelieve that this is what
happened.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Um, it literally happens every day.
Okay, it's every well, give usa for instance, you don't have
to give us names.
I mean just things like we had awitness testifying who ended up
having a seizure from anxietyfrom testifying in the middle of
testimony, we're bringing inems to help our victim, yeah,
(19:18):
and then, well, what do you dowith the rest of the hearing?
And those are the kind ofthings that it's like well, the
defendant is entitled tocross-examine, and so you can't
just be like, oh well, clearlyshe means it like you know, yeah
, exactly we've had people justreally um what's the craziest
one.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Like you went home to guy and said you are not gonna
believe this.
Oh, boy.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
so we recently had someone, um that we agreed to go
to treatment, um that theycould get out of jail if they
went to treatment, and insteadof going to treatment, they
decided that they were justgoing to break out of treatment
and go run around a couple ofdays with their boyfriend and
then go back to treatment, as ifoh, so like a little break, a
(20:02):
little break from treatment,yeah.
So I mean, it's just thosekinds of things I'm thinking
that's not allowed.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not part of the deal, oh
yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
I have a question, Kate.
So what is the silliest thingthat people do or don't do?
That might get themunnecessarily into trouble just
because not doing or not knowing.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Really basic things, sometimes Wearing appropriate
attire to court.
You know things that don't saylike F off oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
But you know, technically they're allowed to
wear it, but it's just not asmart thing Normally when you
see it, like the big cases, likeyeah, the guy looked like an
absolute bum right when theycaught him and the next thing,
you know, he comes in cleanshaven three piece suit, you
know, and you're like wait aminute, that's not the guy that
you know it is.
You know, and you're like, waita minute, that's not the guy
(20:54):
that you know it is.
You know, obviously that wassmart on the attorneys.
They're, they're, they'regetting them ready, they're
getting the person ready.
So I, you know, I saw this.
You were involved in one of thebiggest, the largest fentanyl
bus in Berks County.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
That's right.
Yeah, that's amazing.
Yeah, four kilos of fentanyl.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
That's a lot.
That could kill a lot of people.
How bad is that?
How bad is that?
As far as I know, that's prettybad it's really bad.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
So you can overdose on 0.02 to 0.03 grams of
fentanyl, so um four kilos isenough to wipe out burke's
county and wow, yes, why, why?
Speaker 1 (21:26):
it's just unbelievable.
So do we have a problem withthat here?
Speaker 2 (21:29):
oh yeah, absolutely it's pretty bad.
Yes, it's.
Fentanyl is everywhere, it'severywhere yes, and it's.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
And is it as?
Is it as lethal as they say?
In that I've heard that thepolicemen have to really be
careful because you could ingestit so right and it or it could
be on your hands or whatever,and you have to be very careful
absolutely so in this case.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
When, um the police were executing the search
warrant at this home um theindividual was using fentanyl
and spraying it on syntheticcannabinoids, and that-.
Speaker 1 (21:57):
Synthetic what.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Cannabinoids, so a lot of people call it synthetic
marijuana or K2.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
See, I obviously don't use this stuff.
You can tell If I would havewent.
Oh my God, you guys wait aminute.
He knows way too much.
Was this a ploy?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I have someunder here, but no, but
synthetic, like a syntheticmarijuana.
So they sprayed on that.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Yeah, so it was Damiana leaves, and he was using
like a garden pressurized hoseand spraying it on the leaf, and
so that was when they openedthe tarp the chemical, so we had
several officers who had to betransported to the hospital for
potential overdose.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
You're kidding me.
It's that bad.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
It's that bad.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
You know you hear this stuff but you don't realize
that that's the way it is.
That's crazy.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
Yeah, we actually have an investigation.
We're past investigation stagebut investigation really never
ends.
But in one weekend we had 14individuals who overdosed and
died.
Those individuals were sellingit as crack cocaine, but really
it was laced with fentanyl.
So an individual who's?
An addict and addicted to crackcocaine, went and bought
(23:09):
fentanyl without knowing andoverdosed and died.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
Oh yeah, cause it's, it's pretty fast right 14
individuals in one weekend.
That's horrible.
Yeah, yeah, it's some bad stuff, Some really bad stuff.
Well, thank you for being apart of getting it off the
streets, because you know he haschildren.
I have children, you know, andand that's the innocent people,
the kids that are getting in ina gummy or in a whatever it is
(23:37):
and not knowing and there's beenmany children have died that
way across the nation.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
And the and the way they're manufacturing it.
Now it's in pills that looklike they do, pill presses right
.
Yeah, like prescription pillsthat you would go to CVS or
wherever, and by Wow.
Yeah, it's really crazy it iscrazy.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
It is crazy, so thank you for doing that work.
Now, as a judge, you're goingto be getting those cases
hopefully, yeah, yeah, amazingyeah unbelievable.
Well, is there anything fun youwant to talk about?
Not that this wasn't fun, I'mjust saying I have a question, I
have a question before wefinish.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
So what are the different types of courts that
we have, at least in our areahere, and how do they work?
Good?
Speaker 2 (24:20):
question.
So are you asking about?
It's kind of a compoundquestion?
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Yeah, a compound question Well, we have a federal
court here, right?
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Yeah, we have a federal court and then we have
the Common Police Court, whichis at the courthouse in the city
of Reading.
And then we have localmagisterial district judges.
So those are for each little.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
I don't mean little, but each community Small claim
stuff, right yeah?
Speaker 2 (24:43):
Tenants, evictions, things like that.
So those are anybody who is 18years old and a resident of that
area can be a magisterialdistrict judge.
And then there's the CommonPolice judge, which is the next
level above it, those you haveto be an attorney and in good
standing.
And then there's theCommonwealth Court, which is
like appeals generally, like ifyou sue the government.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Is that an appellate court?
Yes, see.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
You sound smart.
That is the word.
Appellate, which means appealsthere you go, I did some study
before she came in but, and thenthere's a superior court which
is also an appellate court, andthen there's supreme court,
pennsylvania supreme courtthat's amazing.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
All the steps and then it goes federally the same.
The federal has the same thingtoo, right?
Speaker 3 (25:28):
yes, wow, it's incredible.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
That's why it takes so long to get the supreme court
of united states, because youhave to go through all that
Right, and they often won't hear.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
No, they're not hearing, you and I about you
know, tripton Feller orsomething like that or whatever.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Yeah right, exactly Unbelievable, so no.
So what do you do for fun,besides officiate?
Speaker 2 (25:46):
This is fun.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
This is fun Good.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Good, I'm very fortunate.
I do love my job.
You know I've been fortunatethat I've been given the
opportunity to try some of ourmost dangerous cases, and that's
really important because we alllike to go into the.
Santander and watch the Royalsor watch a concert, and we have
(26:08):
to be able to do that, like wehave to be able to be safe.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
Yeah, you're protecting our freedom.
You're trying to get the badpeople off the streets and put
them where they need to be.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Yeah.
And that's not limited to thecity, that's everywhere, yeah
absolutely Everywhere we are,crime happens.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
Everywhere there's no .
Speaker 2 (26:29):
And some of my best moments, I think, have been the
connections that I've made withsome of the victims' families.
We just ran into one the otherday for a homicide case and it
was probably the biggest hugI've received in a really long
time.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
That's cool, that is cool.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Probably four years ago that I prosecuted that case,
that means something.
And you know she sprintedacross that room when she
smalled me.
So that is fun, that's cool.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
That's cool, she sprinted across that room when
she smiled at me.
So that is fun, that's cool.
That's cool.
It's kind of like I mean when Isell a house, you know it's a
little bit like that I get a hug.
You know I'm selling theAmerican dream.
I mean, come on, it's a goodthing, that's right.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Yeah, but we want've been able to seize two houses in
the city of Reading, which issomething that we don't do on a
regular basis, because those twohouses were solely used for
drugs Kids getting off theschool bus.
We have surveillance of theseguys handing out drugs as kids
are getting off the school bus.
Those kids deserve to live in anice neighborhood.
Yeah absolutely and to grow upin a normal, have their friends
(27:34):
over, be able to go outsideafter dark.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
And so we've seized those properties.
I took them in civil court, andnow they belong to the district
attorney's office.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
And eventually you can sell them.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
Well, our goal is to donate them to Habitat for
Humanity.
Yeah, that's perfect, yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
Those guys will be in here in a couple of weeks.
They, yeah, that's perfect.
Yeah, yeah, they're going to.
Those guys will be in here in acouple of weeks.
They're coming in.
Uh, Tim Daly and and NHS StevenGeringer is going to be coming
in.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Yes, yeah, they're great individuals.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Great people, great people doing great things.
So, uh, we're going to have towrap it up, but I really
appreciate you coming in.
This is awesome and if, if,ballot, if you win, it's may.
What is the voting day again?
Speaker 2 (28:11):
may 20th may 20th.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
That's the primary, that's right, and then after.
So, if you get on then, is thatit then or no?
Speaker 2 (28:18):
then there's the in november would be the big
election so if I win on bothtickets, then it's, that's it,
yeah that's, that's it okay.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Cool, awesome, very cool, all right, all right, that
was awesome.
Thanks a lot.
Thanks so much for coming in,and I wish you the best with uh
becoming our next judge.
Thank you, all right, awesome,all right.
There you go, boy, I almost gotmyself in trouble.
I swear.
If you find me in jail, youknow why?
Because I really ticked off thenew judge that's coming up,
right, hugo, it wasn't that bad.
I wasn't that bad, right?
(28:45):
Okay, just making sure, allright.
from real estate affects the market as a whole,
which then sometimes will affectthe right.
You know the real life we alllearn in different ways.
If you think about it, waynedyer might not attract everybody
and everything in between.
The mission was really to helppeople just to reach their full
potential the brad weisman andnow your host, Brad Wiseman.
(00:26):
All right, we're back Thursday 7pm, like every other Thursday,
with a new show and I'm prettysure you're going to really like
this show.
It's a little different.
We got somebody in here that Ishould actually be nervous about
, because she's running forjudge and she's an attorney and
just in case I ever screw up,you know what we might get a
little get out of jail free cardor something.
(00:47):
Who knows you might.
I don't know, it's likeMonopoly, who knows?
But no, on a serious note, wedo have Catherine Lehman here.
She is running for Berks CountyCommon Pleas Judge and I was
told by many people that she'samazing.
Many of my friends have saidshe's incredible and they said
amazing.
Many of my friends have saidshe's incredible and they said
you got to have her on the show.
So that's why she's here.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
How are you doing, Catherine?
I'm doing well.
How are you?
Speaker 1 (01:07):
I'm doing great.
My daughter's name is Catherinetoo, spelled a little different
.
Speaker 2 (01:10):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (01:10):
That's right, but I love the name.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
K-A-T-H-R-Y-N is the best way, that's the best way.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
Well, my daughter might have some thoughts about
that.
It All right, so let's getright from the beginning here.
So you graduated fromShippensburg University?
Yes, okay, you have a master'sdegree from Boston College for
social work.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Correct.
Speaker 1 (01:31):
And you went to Waterloo University in
Harrisburg to be an attorney.
Correct, yes, and how long agowas that?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Well, I graduated from Exeter and then I went
right to Shippensburg.
So I graduated fromShippensburg University in 2005.
Speaker 1 (01:45):
Awesome.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
Immediately went for my master's and I took about six
months.
I was working with delinquentteenagers and we would go to
court, and that's what kind ofmotivated me to go to law school
, because I didn't know what wewere doing in court.
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Because at least she admits it At that point you had
no clue what was going on incourt.
And that's awesome.
So you didn't know.
You wanted to be an attorneyright away.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
That's correct.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
You thought that the social work was going to be it.
Speaker 2 (02:11):
Yes, absolutely.
I had suffered a family tragedywhen I was in high school and
Exeter connected me with asocial worker.
When I was 18 and going tocollege, I had no idea what I
wanted to do with my life.
And so I thought why not socialwork?
So it was through that that Idecided I was going to take this
(02:32):
path, and I started workingwith delinquent teenagers and
advocating for them to stay inthe home as opposed to being
removed, and that's kind of whatled me to law school because,
like I said, I didn't know whatwe were doing.
I had a very small part inadvocating for them and then
from there I I didn't know theprocess.
So I needed to educate myself,and that's why I went to law
school at night.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
Yeah, and that's like that's a big decision.
It's not like you just go, oh,I'm going to law school.
I mean that's right, I meanthat's a serious thing.
Speaker 2 (03:09):
I always think of doctors, a full-time job,
working with the delinquentteenagers and their families,
and then at night I would go tolaw school.
Speaker 1 (03:12):
So, um, and I ended up still graduating in three
years because I went full-timewhile I was there.
Yeah, exactly she's smart.
Yeah, she's definitely smart.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Well, thank you.
Speaker 1 (03:17):
Do you ever get called smarty pants at me?
Speaker 2 (03:18):
No, not really.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
Especially not by my husband, your husband's, here.
His name's.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Guy right, yes, how you doing Guy, I'm great.
Speaker 1 (03:26):
Thank you, Good, good , good.
That's nice and very supportivethat your husband's here, I am
Very blessed.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
That's awesome, yes.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
You are blessed.
That's great.
Speaker 1 (03:32):
And he served the city and the public for a long
time.
Speaker 2 (03:46):
He still is I police officer.
He has accomplished so muchwhile he was there, and now he
is in the sheriff's office.
He's the captain of thewarrants in the canine division.
Speaker 1 (03:49):
Yeah, awesome, very cool We've had.
You know it's funny, we've hadthe canines actually in the
studio.
I'm not kidding, they actuallywere in the studio from the
sheriff's department were in thestudio.
It was crazy.
Speaker 2 (03:58):
It was really cool.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
That was different trying to calm down a dog.
Those dogs are a little hyper.
Speaker 2 (04:05):
Yes, yeah, and they were all over the place.
It was pretty funny.
He was a canine handler for thesheriffs before he was promoted
, so we do have a retired canine, oh that's really cool, very
cool, very cool.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
That's awesome.
I'm glad you didn't bring him.
I love dogs, but it would havebeen a little crazy.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
He's a little older now, so he's a little bit calmed
down.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
That's good.
That's good.
So from out of law school,where did you go from there?
Speaker 2 (04:23):
So I started in the public defender's office in
Bronx County.
Speaker 1 (04:26):
I moved and that's not easy either.
Speaker 2 (04:29):
No, it's not an easy job.
Speaker 1 (04:30):
Because you're a public defender means that those
people have no money, correct,and you're defending them,
correct.
So, whether you like them ornot, oh yes, absolutely.
That's the part.
Speaker 2 (04:44):
Well, right, everyone is afforded due process.
Yes, which is great, that'sgreat.
Speaker 1 (04:47):
It's a great thing.
I'm not downing, I'm justsaying she's like everybody's, I
know that.
I wasn't saying we should putpeople to jail for no reason.
I'm just saying that basicallywhat defenders one.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
They get a bad rap, which is really unnecessary.
They're dealing with casesevery single day in court, every
different type of crime andevery type of personality that
comes through, and then theyhave a much higher caseload than
a lot of private attorneys.
And no knock on privateattorneys I mean their job is
equally as difficult.
But you don't get to say, hey,you didn't pay me this month or
(05:24):
we have differences in how toproceed.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
It's your client is your client and thank God we
have that.
Yeah, absolutely Thank God wehave that, because there's no
reason that you should have tohave money to be able to defend
yourself.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Right, or to have a good attorney.
Yeah, right, exactly.
Speaker 1 (05:38):
That's cool.
So you go into that and now youare in the DA's office.
That's where you are now, right, that's correct.
Speaker 2 (05:44):
So I spent five years in the public defender's office
and now I'm entering my ninthyear in the district attorney's
office.
Do you have to work with JohnAdams?
I do.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
I'm sorry about that.
So sorry about that.
No, he's a good guy.
I like John John's awesome.
Speaker 2 (05:56):
He's a great boss.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, he's a good guy and I've sold homes to one of
his daughters.
I sold a house to Okay, yeah,yeah absolutely, they're good
people.
Funny story too, his wife.
When COVID happened I walk intoGovernor Mifflin, to the gym of
Governor Mifflin, and it was myfirst shot for COVID.
I walk up and all of a sudden Isee Betsy.
Speaker 2 (06:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
And she's like I'm going to love doing this shot.
I'm like, oh, she was the firstshot I got from COVID.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yeah, Betsy's wonderful.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Oh yeah, she is, she's great, so okay, so also
one of the things you do you'reBerks County Field Hockey
Officials Association, so youofficiate for Berks County for
field hockey.
Speaker 2 (06:34):
Yes, so middle school .
Speaker 1 (06:35):
In your free time?
Obviously, In my free time, yes.
Speaker 2 (06:37):
So middle school and high school, and then I also do
some collegiate field hockeyUnbelievable.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
Did you do that in college?
Were you playing or?
Speaker 2 (06:44):
anything.
No, I played at Exeter and then, once I graduated, I didn't
play and then I startedofficiating, probably maybe 15
years ago, I'm not exactly sureI've been the president of the
officials for probably eightyears.
Speaker 1 (07:00):
That's awesome and you know what they need.
That People you know it's funny.
They're having a tough time nowwith officials for basketball,
all the different things.
Speaker 2 (07:08):
For all the sports.
Yeah, nobody wants to do itanymore.
This is a huge plug.
If you're listening, we needyou?
Speaker 1 (07:13):
Yes, plug, plug, plug .
You can plug, go for it we needyou.
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
We can't sports If we don't have officials that show
up.
It's great way to be involved.
It's a great way, it's greatextra money, um, but it's also
really wonderful to like givethose kids a little bit of
encouragement and just like keepthem on the field.
Speaker 1 (07:33):
Cool.
I'm glad you do that, that'scool.
Cause our kids, our kids, uh,benefit from, like my son's in
basketball and Catherine plays afield hockey and and you know,
and the coaches too, we alwayssay that.
You know it's tough becausenobody wants to be coach anymore
these days, so and it's a kindof a thankless job.
You get yelled at by parentssometimes, which is always,
always nice, but yeah, so that'sreally cool.
(07:54):
I'm glad you do that.
It's a nice giving back andnice way to to help out young
kids.
So let's go into a little bitmore of you.
So you, you're at the districtattorney's office, eric Weakneck
, who is now our state rep, astate rep now both endorsed you.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (08:11):
For the choice of judge.
Yes, that's amazing.
Yes, because you got you know,those guys do get along too.
They both get along very well,but it's just two different
things.
And they're coming together andsaying look, yeah, we support
you.
Speaker 2 (08:24):
Yeah, it's really so.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Barry Chlauk supports you.
Yes, yeah, ari Chlauk supportsyou.
Speaker 2 (08:27):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:27):
Yeah, I saw him on there.
He's another one.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (08:29):
But that's awesome.
Speaker 2 (08:30):
Yeah, it's incredible .
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Yeah, it is.
So when did you make thedecision to do?
Speaker 2 (08:34):
this, so I can tell you the exact day.
Speaker 1 (08:37):
Okay, go for it May 23rd of 2024.
Okay.
Speaker 2 (08:40):
Guy and I made the decision to run.
Speaker 1 (08:42):
That's cool.
You involved him in thedecision.
Oh, the spouse always has to beinvolved in that, because it's
a lot of work.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
It's a lot of work.
It's a lot of sleepless nightsand it's a lot of anxiety and
stress and not everybody's nice.
Not everyone is nice Noteverybody's nice.
Speaker 1 (09:01):
No, I've noticed that I was involved with a campaign
for my friend to try and get onschool board and it was amazing
Some of the things that I evengot told or said on to me, and I
wasn't the one running, I wasjust supporting my buddy and
it's incredible you get somehateful things said to you.
Speaker 2 (09:20):
I'm very fortunate.
We've been very, we've receivedreally great positive feedback
so far.
I mean knock on wood, of course, but it's been, it's been a
good experience so far.
I have to not going not goingto what, of course, but um, it's
been, it's been a goodexperience so far.
I have to say that it's betterthan I expected it to be, if
that makes sense, yeah.
Yeah, I'm just very fortunatethat he is by my side and
supportive in this, because Idon't know how you would do it
(09:41):
without.
Speaker 1 (09:41):
Yeah, yeah.
Plus, he carries guns.
That's always a good thing.
I had to say it.
I mean, come on, he's apoliceman for how many years.
He's like your own bodyguard.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
You're pretty lucky that way.
He's been called that severaltimes on the campaign trail.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Yeah see, I know.
Speaker 2 (09:57):
I know.
Speaker 1 (09:58):
When Eric used to come in here he'd be packing.
I know Now he's a state rep.
I'm not sure he might be justpacking a sandwich, kind of a
granola bar or something, butyeah, so, yeah, that's awesome.
Now tell me, what does it taketo do the common police judge,
like what?
Why do you feel that you areset up for this and what does it
take to do that job?
Speaker 2 (10:21):
Well, I think, first a common police judge is a trial
judge, so if you would getcalled in for jury duty.
I'd be the judge that presides.
I have been Okay that judge thatpresides over that jury is the
position that I'm running for.
So one of the biggest thingsabout that is it's a trial judge
position and I'm the onlycandidate running that has ever
tried a case and I try cases ona regular basis.
That is my job is to try casesas an assistant district
(10:45):
attorney, so I feel like I'mvery well qualified for that
position in order to be ready tohandle the law that comes
through, the questions that comethrough the difficult
situations, and I feel like I'muniquely prepared for that
position because it's what I doon a regular basis.
Plus, I have that social workbackground so I'm able to
determine, use that common sense.
Speaker 1 (11:07):
Also maybe have some compassion.
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Right, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
Right, I mean, you know, I always think of judges.
I was just like mean.
You know, I think they're mean,it's just.
The first thing comes to mymind is they're mean, grumpy,
and they're not going to be fun,and no, that's what I think.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
I'm not mean.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
I know you're not mean.
I mean there's times wherethere has to be some sort of
compassion involved, butobviously the law comes into
play.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
So the law is the law .
It doesn't matter if we like itor we don't like it.
That's not the judge's positionto determine that If you don't
like the law then you need towrite your legislator.
Speaker 3 (11:39):
That's right.
Speaker 2 (11:40):
But while I'm not mean, I am tough.
It's important to be able tomake tough decisions, and I do
that whether it's in thecourtroom or on the field hockey
field or in life in general.
Like I said, I grew up here.
I care about Berks County Good,and that's where you know.
My husband and I have dedicatedour careers to that's awesome.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Yeah, yeah, we do appreciate you doing that, so
let's go into.
There's people that are alsorunning against you.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
That's correct.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Okay, we're not going to say anything mean about them
or anything like that.
No, of course not.
Speaker 2 (12:17):
No, but there's people running against you, and
is there one position?
Out of the three people thatare running?
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Yes, there's only one position, so Judge.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Sprecher retired in July of 2023.
So his position is the onlyposition that's open right now.
Speaker 1 (12:26):
So what other judges have that position that we would
know their names.
Speaker 2 (12:31):
So there's Teresa Johnson she is our first um
female president.
Judge in Berks.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
County.
She was after Schmal or no.
Speaker 2 (12:38):
Uh, she was after judge Parisi and then before
judge Parisi.
I believe it was judge Yatrinand yeah, cause Jeffrey Schmal.
Speaker 1 (12:44):
I think wasn't he in there somewhere.
Speaker 2 (12:46):
Yes, but now he's a federal judge, federal judge.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Yeah, we don't, don't mess with him man.
When he went to federal Iactually started being nice to
him Because he's a good guy,he's a good guy too, I like him.
But yeah, I started being realnice to him at that point
Because that's a real, that'sreally getting up there.
Speaker 3 (13:03):
How often do judges run?
Sorry, I've just no go ahead.
How often do you have to run tobe?
Speaker 2 (13:08):
So the common pleas judge is a 10-year long position
.
Speaker 1 (13:11):
Oh wow, big commitment.
Speaker 2 (13:12):
And then you run for retention.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
So then it's a yes or a no.
Speaker 2 (13:17):
So the voters would vote yes to retain you or no.
Speaker 1 (13:19):
I've seen that when I go in to vote.
Yeah, I know what you mean.
So the first time when you'reon the ballot it's going to look
different.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
Yes, so in May, may 20th.
Speaker 1 (13:26):
This is good to bring up, so.
Speaker 2 (13:28):
May 20th is the primary and I'll be running as a
Republican and a Democratbecause it's a bipartisan
position.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
You can cross file.
It's bipartisan.
You don't want a judge who'spolitically motivated.
Nobody ever does that.
Well, it's our job In thecommon plea.
Supreme Court, Superior Court,Sure that's a little bit
different Commonwealth Court,because they're nominated Right.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
But this is a trial judge and you just want a trial
judge that's bipartisan, notpolitically motivated.
So I'll be running as aRepublican and a Democrat and
May 25th is primary, so whenthey go in you'll see my name
and the other two candidates.
Speaker 1 (14:03):
And that's countywide .
Speaker 2 (14:04):
That's countywide, all of Berks County, so we're
going to look at the CatherineLehman is the one that we're
going to want to click on ortouch or when you're mail in
ballot.
Speaker 1 (14:17):
Yes, they're becoming very popular.
Yes, did that answer?
Speaker 2 (14:18):
your question yes.
Speaker 1 (14:18):
Yes, that's a good question, very good question.
So 10 years, basically, andthen after that it's like a yes
or no.
So you'd really, as long asyou're doing a good job, at that
point nobody's going tohopefully bail you, bail on you,
or something like that.
Okay, good, give me an exampleof a case that might come up in
the comment, please.
You were saying it's a trial,but is it civil or criminal?
Speaker 2 (14:37):
So the position that I'm running for the president
judge decides where each judgeis assigned.
So I could be in criminal, Icould be in civil, I could be in
family court.
Speaker 1 (14:48):
We don't know that yet.
Speaker 2 (14:48):
Correct.
In civil I could be in familycourt okay, so you could be, it
doesn't?
Speaker 1 (14:50):
we don't know that yet, correct, no one knows that,
so that wasn't a dumb question.
Speaker 3 (14:52):
Then, yeah, there you go.
Speaker 1 (14:52):
Very important I thought for sure she was gonna
go.
Are you kidding me?
Speaker 2 (14:55):
no, no, and so those judges rotate.
Um so, almost every judgehandles the murder cases, though
.
Speaker 1 (15:02):
Oh, almost every judge, yes almost every judge
handles the murder cases yes, sothey're on a rotation right
right, right right.
Speaker 3 (15:09):
Oh, I see, I see, I see Okay.
Speaker 1 (15:11):
And I guess that's probably just to, so that one
person's not always doing them.
Speaker 2 (15:15):
Correct, yeah, yes.
Speaker 1 (15:16):
Because that's not the ones that everybody wants.
Speaker 2 (15:18):
Correct, I would think yeah, right.
Speaker 1 (15:20):
Oh my gosh, that's so wild.
And we know there's peoplerunning against you and they all
cross-file.
So, no matter what, there's noDemocrat, no Republican nothing
like that.
Okay, what made you want tomove from the DA's office to
(15:40):
being a judge?
Speaker 2 (15:42):
So I'm very fortunate in the position that I have
right now and I recognize that,like I said, john is a great
boss and I've been given theopportunity to try some of our
most dangerous and violenthomicide cases.
I'm the supervisor of the drugtask force and so not only do I
prosecute drug cases, like majordrug offenders and homicides, I
(16:03):
handle every type of case thatcomes through.
This is an opportunity for meto serve Berks County in a very
different way.
Like I said, I think I have aunique balance of knowing the
law, being able to follow thelaw that's what we do in the
district attorney's office butunderstanding the spirit that's
behind that law and being ableto show a little bit of
compassion, but also being ableto make tough decisions, when a
(16:26):
lot of people have a hard timemaking tough decisions because
100% of the time 50% aren'tgoing to agree with you and you
have to be strong in your values, in your morals and who you are
in order to make those toughdecisions.
And so when this positionbecame available, I thought why
not me?
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Yeah, that's cool, kind of a calling.
Yeah, yeah, it's a calling,that's cool, and if by some
chance you wouldn't get it,would you try again?
Speaker 2 (16:51):
I don't know.
We haven't looked that far yet.
We're focused.
She's going to get it, brad,she's going to get it.
Speaker 3 (16:55):
That's right.
Speaker 1 (16:56):
Oh, I think she is too.
I mean, I'm voting for her.
I can tell you that.
Thank you, I'm made 20.
Of course I don't get hate mail.
I might need your protection.
Yeah well, that's cool, that'sawesome and it's because it's a
big deal.
Do you do you worry about?
I mean, we hear about this, youknow, in different state, local
(17:16):
.
Whatever you make a decision,do you have to worry about the
decision made, like beingfearful of other people that
didn't like your decision?
Speaker 2 (17:29):
So that's something that we I specifically have had
to deal with in the districtattorney's office.
I've had people threaten tokill me.
I've had people threaten tokill my family.
It's a tough job.
Speaker 1 (17:37):
And.
Speaker 2 (17:38):
I don't mean to say that like, oh, poor me, because
I don't feel that way.
When you are doing the rightthing, you can't worry about
those things.
People aren't going to likedoing the right thing sometimes.
But when you're strong in yourvalues and your morals and, like
I said, in who you are and youknow that you have that
integrity behind it, If you'remaking decisions because it's
the best decision to make, thenyou have to be strong in that
(17:59):
conviction yeah, absolutely, andwe lack that today.
Yes, we do Right.
Speaker 1 (18:03):
There's a lot of places where we lack that today,
so it's good to hear thatthat's how you feel, um, because
it's it's not a popularitycontest.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
It's exactly right.
Speaker 1 (18:11):
Yeah, definitely not, and there's too many places in
our lives today, in our country,in different places, that it
seems like it is a popularitycontest and it's just not.
So that's cool.
I like to hear that, and Iwould think people out there
would like to hear that too.
So we talked about what makesyou qualified.
Let's go into some other stuff.
Do you have any stories ofanything that you're like?
(18:32):
I don't even know what you cantell.
We were talking about this.
What you can tell, like Eric hadone.
You don't have to mention names, but Eric had this thing where
he had to go get somebody's birdas the sheriff's department.
Speaker 3 (18:43):
He had to go get a bird.
Speaker 1 (18:45):
It was part of a divorce.
He had to go get the bird outof the house and you might even
I know a guy might have beenpart of that, I don't know.
But is there anything weirdthat ever happened as a, as a
assistant, da or something?
You're like you aren't going tobelieve that this is what
happened.
Speaker 2 (18:57):
Um, it literally happens every day.
Okay, it's every well, give usa for instance, you don't have
to give us names.
I mean just things like we had awitness testifying who ended up
having a seizure from anxietyfrom testifying in the middle of
testimony, we're bringing inems to help our victim, yeah,
(19:18):
and then, well, what do you dowith the rest of the hearing?
And those are the kind ofthings that it's like well, the
defendant is entitled tocross-examine, and so you can't
just be like, oh well, clearlyshe means it like you know, yeah
, exactly we've had people justreally um what's the craziest
one.
Speaker 1 (19:37):
Like you went home to guy and said you are not gonna
believe this.
Oh, boy.
Speaker 2 (19:41):
so we recently had someone, um that we agreed to go
to treatment, um that theycould get out of jail if they
went to treatment, and insteadof going to treatment, they
decided that they were justgoing to break out of treatment
and go run around a couple ofdays with their boyfriend and
then go back to treatment, as ifoh, so like a little break, a
(20:02):
little break from treatment,yeah.
So I mean, it's just thosekinds of things I'm thinking
that's not allowed.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not part of the deal, oh
yeah.
Speaker 3 (20:10):
I have a question, Kate.
So what is the silliest thingthat people do or don't do?
That might get themunnecessarily into trouble just
because not doing or not knowing.
Speaker 2 (20:24):
Really basic things, sometimes Wearing appropriate
attire to court.
You know things that don't saylike F off oh my gosh.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
But you know, technically they're allowed to
wear it, but it's just not asmart thing Normally when you
see it, like the big cases, likeyeah, the guy looked like an
absolute bum right when theycaught him and the next thing,
you know, he comes in cleanshaven three piece suit, you
know, and you're like wait aminute, that's not the guy that
you know it is.
You know, and you're like, waita minute, that's not the guy
(20:54):
that you know it is.
You know, obviously that wassmart on the attorneys.
They're, they're, they'regetting them ready, they're
getting the person ready.
So I, you know, I saw this.
You were involved in one of thebiggest, the largest fentanyl
bus in Berks County.
Speaker 2 (21:04):
That's right.
Yeah, that's amazing.
Yeah, four kilos of fentanyl.
Speaker 1 (21:07):
That's a lot.
That could kill a lot of people.
How bad is that?
How bad is that?
As far as I know, that's prettybad it's really bad.
Speaker 2 (21:13):
So you can overdose on 0.02 to 0.03 grams of
fentanyl, so um four kilos isenough to wipe out burke's
county and wow, yes, why, why?
Speaker 1 (21:26):
it's just unbelievable.
So do we have a problem withthat here?
Speaker 2 (21:29):
oh yeah, absolutely it's pretty bad.
Yes, it's.
Fentanyl is everywhere, it'severywhere yes, and it's.
Speaker 1 (21:34):
And is it as?
Is it as lethal as they say?
In that I've heard that thepolicemen have to really be
careful because you could ingestit so right and it or it could
be on your hands or whatever,and you have to be very careful
absolutely so in this case.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
When, um the police were executing the search
warrant at this home um theindividual was using fentanyl
and spraying it on syntheticcannabinoids, and that-.
Speaker 1 (21:57):
Synthetic what.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
Cannabinoids, so a lot of people call it synthetic
marijuana or K2.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
See, I obviously don't use this stuff.
You can tell If I would havewent.
Oh my God, you guys wait aminute.
He knows way too much.
Was this a ploy?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I have someunder here, but no, but
synthetic, like a syntheticmarijuana.
So they sprayed on that.
Speaker 2 (22:18):
Yeah, so it was Damiana leaves, and he was using
like a garden pressurized hoseand spraying it on the leaf, and
so that was when they openedthe tarp the chemical, so we had
several officers who had to betransported to the hospital for
potential overdose.
Speaker 1 (22:36):
You're kidding me.
It's that bad.
Speaker 2 (22:39):
It's that bad.
Speaker 1 (22:40):
You know you hear this stuff but you don't realize
that that's the way it is.
That's crazy.
Speaker 2 (22:45):
Yeah, we actually have an investigation.
We're past investigation stagebut investigation really never
ends.
But in one weekend we had 14individuals who overdosed and
died.
Those individuals were sellingit as crack cocaine, but really
it was laced with fentanyl.
So an individual who's?
An addict and addicted to crackcocaine, went and bought
(23:09):
fentanyl without knowing andoverdosed and died.
Speaker 1 (23:13):
Oh yeah, cause it's, it's pretty fast right 14
individuals in one weekend.
That's horrible.
Yeah, yeah, it's some bad stuff, Some really bad stuff.
Well, thank you for being apart of getting it off the
streets, because you know he haschildren.
I have children, you know, andand that's the innocent people,
the kids that are getting in ina gummy or in a whatever it is
(23:37):
and not knowing and there's beenmany children have died that
way across the nation.
Speaker 2 (23:40):
And the and the way they're manufacturing it.
Now it's in pills that looklike they do, pill presses right
.
Yeah, like prescription pillsthat you would go to CVS or
wherever, and by Wow.
Yeah, it's really crazy it iscrazy.
Speaker 1 (23:54):
It is crazy, so thank you for doing that work.
Now, as a judge, you're goingto be getting those cases
hopefully, yeah, yeah, amazingyeah unbelievable.
Well, is there anything fun youwant to talk about?
Not that this wasn't fun, I'mjust saying I have a question, I
have a question before wefinish.
Speaker 3 (24:12):
So what are the different types of courts that
we have, at least in our areahere, and how do they work?
Good?
Speaker 2 (24:20):
question.
So are you asking about?
It's kind of a compoundquestion?
Speaker 1 (24:25):
Yeah, a compound question Well, we have a federal
court here, right?
Speaker 2 (24:27):
Yeah, we have a federal court and then we have
the Common Police Court, whichis at the courthouse in the city
of Reading.
And then we have localmagisterial district judges.
So those are for each little.
Speaker 1 (24:37):
I don't mean little, but each community Small claim
stuff, right yeah?
Speaker 2 (24:43):
Tenants, evictions, things like that.
So those are anybody who is 18years old and a resident of that
area can be a magisterialdistrict judge.
And then there's the CommonPolice judge, which is the next
level above it, those you haveto be an attorney and in good
standing.
And then there's theCommonwealth Court, which is
like appeals generally, like ifyou sue the government.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Is that an appellate court?
Yes, see.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
You sound smart.
That is the word.
Appellate, which means appealsthere you go, I did some study
before she came in but, and thenthere's a superior court which
is also an appellate court, andthen there's supreme court,
pennsylvania supreme courtthat's amazing.
Speaker 1 (25:24):
All the steps and then it goes federally the same.
The federal has the same thingtoo, right?
Speaker 3 (25:28):
yes, wow, it's incredible.
Speaker 1 (25:29):
That's why it takes so long to get the supreme court
of united states, because youhave to go through all that
Right, and they often won't hear.
Speaker 3 (25:36):
No, they're not hearing, you and I about you
know, tripton Feller orsomething like that or whatever.
Speaker 1 (25:40):
Yeah right, exactly Unbelievable, so no.
So what do you do for fun,besides officiate?
Speaker 2 (25:46):
This is fun.
Speaker 1 (25:46):
This is fun Good.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Good, I'm very fortunate.
I do love my job.
You know I've been fortunatethat I've been given the
opportunity to try some of ourmost dangerous cases, and that's
really important because we alllike to go into the.
Santander and watch the Royalsor watch a concert, and we have
(26:08):
to be able to do that, like wehave to be able to be safe.
Speaker 1 (26:13):
Yeah, you're protecting our freedom.
You're trying to get the badpeople off the streets and put
them where they need to be.
Speaker 2 (26:18):
Yeah.
And that's not limited to thecity, that's everywhere, yeah
absolutely Everywhere we are,crime happens.
Speaker 1 (26:23):
Everywhere there's no .
Speaker 2 (26:29):
And some of my best moments, I think, have been the
connections that I've made withsome of the victims' families.
We just ran into one the otherday for a homicide case and it
was probably the biggest hugI've received in a really long
time.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
That's cool, that is cool.
Speaker 2 (26:46):
Probably four years ago that I prosecuted that case,
that means something.
And you know she sprintedacross that room when she
smalled me.
So that is fun, that's cool.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
That's cool, she sprinted across that room when
she smiled at me.
So that is fun, that's cool.
That's cool.
It's kind of like I mean when Isell a house, you know it's a
little bit like that I get a hug.
You know I'm selling theAmerican dream.
I mean, come on, it's a goodthing, that's right.
Speaker 2 (27:12):
Yeah, but we want've been able to seize two houses in
the city of Reading, which issomething that we don't do on a
regular basis, because those twohouses were solely used for
drugs Kids getting off theschool bus.
We have surveillance of theseguys handing out drugs as kids
are getting off the school bus.
Those kids deserve to live in anice neighborhood.
Yeah absolutely and to grow upin a normal, have their friends
(27:34):
over, be able to go outsideafter dark.
Speaker 3 (27:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (27:36):
And so we've seized those properties.
I took them in civil court, andnow they belong to the district
attorney's office.
Speaker 1 (27:45):
And eventually you can sell them.
Speaker 2 (27:46):
Well, our goal is to donate them to Habitat for
Humanity.
Yeah, that's perfect, yeah.
Speaker 1 (27:51):
Those guys will be in here in a couple of weeks.
They, yeah, that's perfect.
Yeah, yeah, they're going to.
Those guys will be in here in acouple of weeks.
They're coming in.
Uh, Tim Daly and and NHS StevenGeringer is going to be coming
in.
Speaker 2 (27:57):
Yes, yeah, they're great individuals.
Speaker 1 (27:58):
Great people, great people doing great things.
So, uh, we're going to have towrap it up, but I really
appreciate you coming in.
This is awesome and if, if,ballot, if you win, it's may.
What is the voting day again?
Speaker 2 (28:11):
may 20th may 20th.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
That's the primary, that's right, and then after.
So, if you get on then, is thatit then or no?
Speaker 2 (28:18):
then there's the in november would be the big
election so if I win on bothtickets, then it's, that's it,
yeah that's, that's it okay.
Speaker 1 (28:24):
Cool, awesome, very cool, all right, all right, that
was awesome.
Thanks a lot.
Thanks so much for coming in,and I wish you the best with uh
becoming our next judge.
Thank you, all right, awesome,all right.
There you go, boy, I almost gotmyself in trouble.
I swear.
If you find me in jail, youknow why?
Because I really ticked off thenew judge that's coming up,
right, hugo, it wasn't that bad.
I wasn't that bad, right?
(28:45):
Okay, just making sure, allright.
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