Ex-O’Hara Teacher Faces Trespass Charge

By Pattie Price

Former Cardinal O’Hara High School teacher Walter Lion, 61, of Chadds Ford waived a hearing Thursday before Magisterial District Judge Dave Lang on two counts each of defiant trespass and disorderly conduct. The charges stem from an incident 11:48a.m., Feb. 24, when he entered the school building at 1701 S. Sproul Road, Marple, Pa.

According to the affidavit, Marple Detective Larry Gerrity said Delaware County CID and Marple Police investigated a report in March 2008 that a school computer had images of underage people engaging in sexual activities. The computer was linked to Lion and he was terminated and told he was not allowed to return to the school property.

Gerrity said the school’s disciplinarian saw Lion in a classroom speaking to a teacher on Feb. 24. Lion said he was at the school to inquire about a teacher who was on medical leave. The disciplinarian escorted Lion from the building and told him never to return. Lion walked toward the parking lot.

A few minutes later, the disciplinarian saw Lion in the school gymnasium with his pants zipper down. When Lion saw her, he turned and ran.

The school administration called police and locked down the building. Marple Police were assisted in searching the building by numerous officers from other jurisdictions for more than two hours. The search was called off when Pennsylvania State Police located Lion at his Chadds Ford residence.

Lion was released and is scheduled for a May 10 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

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Joseph Hallinan, 19, of Marple, waived a hearing on the charges of a minor driving under the influence and possession of drug paraphernalia. In exchange for the waiver the charges of restrictions on alcoholic beverages, driving without headlights on, driving while his license was suspended, and underage drinking were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident 11:48p.m., Feb. 18, at Sproul and Cedar Grove roads.

According to the affidavit, Marple Officer Kate Connolly stopped a black Chevy Blazer when she saw it stopped at a red-light, without its lights on.

The driver, Hallinan had an odor of alcohol and a portable breath test revealed the presence of alcohol. He was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test.

Several cans of beer and two smoking pipes were confiscated from the vehicle.

Hallinan was released and is scheduled for a May 10 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

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Cara DeVito, 23, of Marple waived a hearing on the charges of DUI and careless driving stemming from an accident 9:29p.m., Jan. 17, at Cedar Grove Road and Kingswood Lane.

According to the affidavit, Marple Officer Nick Coffin responded to a report of an accident and located an overturned car. The driver, identified as Ms. DeVito was located inside a nearby home using the bathroom.

Ms. DeVito told police she lost control of her car when she swerved to avoid a tree and the vehicle rolled over.

Ms. DeVito had an odor of alcohol, was not sure where she was, and didn’t know where she was coming from. A portable breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .157. She was transported to Springfield Hospital for a blood test.

Ms. DeVito was released and is scheduled for a May 10 arraignment in Common Pleas Court.

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