Trial set on assault charges
BY MICHAEL J. RUDOLF
Wyoming County Press Examiner
TUNKHANNOCK - A trial for an Eaton Township man accused of assaulting his girlfriend is scheduled for Wednesday in Wyoming County Court.
Jason Dustin Bliss, 33, of Smith Lane, is charged with harassment and simple assault.
On Monday, nine men and five women were chosen to serve as jurors and alternates for the trial.
This will be the first jury trial presided over by Judge Russell Shurtleff, as well as the first since Jeff Mitchell took over as district attorney.
During jury selection, Assistant DA Gerald Idec handled the questioning of prospective jurors. Bliss is represented by attorney William Urbanski of Scranton.
Opening statements and testimony are scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. Shurtleff told the jurors the trial is not expected to last more than one day.
According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 5, 2008, state police were called to Bliss's home for a domestic dispute.
Trooper Joseph Breck wrote that upon arrival, he met with the victim at a nearby convenience store. The woman told Breck that Bliss started to throw her clothes outside after an argument. She said he then began slapping her on both sides of her head, pulled her hair, grabbed her by the throat and pushed her down. The victim told the trooper that Bliss threw her down some outside steps into the yard, and began hitting her again.
When Breck interviewed Bliss, he told the trooper that he and the victim had an argument, and he held her down because she tried to hit him.
Five other cases were listed for trials this week, but when Shurtleff called the roll of defendants, none were present.
They include:
Nicole Linville, 30, of Wilkes-Barre, charged with forgery, theft by deception and theft by unlawful taking.
Sarah E. Kussoff, 25, of Simpson, charged with driving under the influence and other traffic offenses.
Gregory McBride, 53, of Forest City, charged with driving under the influence and other traffic offenses.
Craig Richter, 24, of Mehoopany, charged with driving under the influence and other traffic offenses.
Shawn Drass, 27, of Mehoopany, charged with driving under the influence.
Shurtleff issued bench warrants for their arrests.
