The ongoing Scullin murder case is still getting attention from newsgroup across the nation. Attorney Joseph Patituce of Patituce & Associates in Cleveland has been acting as Jeffrey Scullin’s criminal defense lawyer. In the most recent updates of the case, a trial date has been set and Attorney Patituce has challenged evidence that he believes must be deemed inadmissible.
On Friday, October 12th, 2018, prosecutors and Attorney Patituce will convene to present arguments for the use or disuse of certain pieces of evidence in the case. Attorney Patituce has claimed that the police’s search of Scullin’s cellphone and vehicle were unjustified. As such, any evidence discovered due to those searches should be considered inadmissible in court. On the following Monday, October 15th, the trial is set to begin.
At this time, the charges brought against Jeffrey Scullin include:
- Aggravated murder
- Murder
- Felonious assault
- Tampering with evidence
- Making false alarms
- Endangering children
Attorney Patituce is dedicated to ensuring the honesty and fairness of the criminal justice system remain throughout Scullin’s case. Every person is owed an opportunity to explain their side of the story and defend themselves, regardless of the severity of the alleged crimes and the apparent evidence.
Details of the Scullin Murder Case
Melinda Pleskovic was meant to meet her family — her husband, her daughter, and her daughter’s fiancé, Mr. Scullin — at a restaurant in October 2017 but did not show up. When the family returned home after failed attempts to make contact with Melinda, her body was discovered in the kitchen, where an altercation had apparently occurred. She had been stabbed multiple times and shot twice. Her autistic, nonverbal son was in the home.
Both Melinda’s husband and Scullin called the police. Upon their arrival, the police began an investigation, which may have violated Scullin’s rights. He allowed the police to search his truck that same night, but admitted he was unable to open an inner console with a broken lock. Law enforcement agents decided to seize the truck for a more in-depth search. While the vehicle was in police control, they pried open the locked console and discovered a bloodied knife. Investigators would later claim the blood belonged to Melinda. They also seized Scullin’s cellphone but did not say why.
Upon reviewing the search warrants, Attorney Patituce found the language to be intentionally vague. In many criminal investigations, broadly-defined search warrants are used to try to give police free rein to search and seize as they please. He also argued that Scullin gave permission for an initial search, but not the seizure and secondary searches of his property. Furthermore, a police representative had reported that Melinda’s blood was identified on the knife a full two months before the DNA analysis at a medical lab was actually completed. Due to the eagerness to decide whose blood was on the knife, it could be indicative that the evidence has been falsified.
All of the issues with both the alleged evidence and how it was obtained led Attorney Patituce to ask the court to dismiss the evidence by rendering it inadmissible. The upcoming hearing will determine what evidence can be used.
For more information on the upcoming Scullin trial, you can click here to view a full article posted by Cleveland.com. (Login information or subscription may be required.) To learn more about Patituce & Associates, or to see if a Cleveland criminal defense lawyer from our law firm can assist you with a case of your own, call (440) 471-7784 to speak directly with an attorney. You can also use an online contact form if you prefer.
