The following are the judicial opinions as published in the Lebanon County Legal Journal.
Michael Diehl, v. Markis A. Ratcliffe
Tuesday, August 4, 2026 12:44
Michael Diehl, v. Markis A. Ratcliffe Civil Action-Law-Motor Vehicle Accident-Complaint-Discovery Upon Plaintiff-Failure to Respond-Motion for Sanctions-Pa.R.C.P. Rule 4019-Dismissal of Action-Extreme Circumstances-Willful-Prejudice-Motion for Summary Judgment-Completion of Discovery Michael Diehl (“Plaintiff”) filed a Complaint on November 16, 2022 seeking recovery for damages following a motor vehicle accident in which he was involved with Markis A. Ratcliffe (“Defendant”) on December 9, 2020. On […]
In Re: Six Star Realty, Inc.
Tuesday, July 7, 2026 14:37
In Re: Six Star Realty, Inc. Civil Action-Business Law-Dissolution-Domestic Corporation-Real Estate Brokerage Firm-Receipt of Escrow Funds-Disposition-Efforts to Locate Parties-Good Faith Six Star Realty, Inc. (“Six Star”), which is a Pennsylvania domestic business corporation operated as a real estate brokerage firm, filed a Petition for Court Intervention Regarding Outstanding Escrow Funds. The Petition was filed on the basis that it ceased […]
Pamela F.Y. McCarter, v. Guy R. Moscato
Tuesday, June 30, 2026 13:51
Pamela F.Y. McCarter, v. Guy R. Moscato Civil Action-Family Law-Divorce-Marriage Settlement Agreement-Petition to Enforce-Contempt-Parties Decline to Comply-Marital Residence-Sale-Division of Proceeds-Credits The parties were married on March 20, 1993. The parties entered into a Marriage Settlement Agreement on March 15, 2012 in which the parties agreed that Guy R. Moscato (“Husband”) was to retain the marital residence and Pamela F.Y. McCarter […]
Mark Fox and Thuong Fox, v. Peter Cook, Glenda Cook, Ted Kleinsasser, Just for You Construction, LLC, Gary Kunkle, Premier Residential Services, Star Management, and Complete Disaster Services, LLC.
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 14:47
Mark Fox and Thuong Fox, v. Peter Cook, Glenda Cook, Ted Kleinsasser, Just for You Construction, LLC, Gary Kunkle, Premier Residential Services, Star Management, and Complete Disaster Services, LLC. Civil Action-Negligence-Trespass-Conversion of Timber-Residential Construction-Subcontractor Error-Tree Removal from Adjacent Property-Pleading-Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings-Failure to State a Claim Mark and Thuong Fox (“Plaintiffs”) own property, a portion of which is […]
Lynnette M. Novak, v. Daryl G. Layser and Lisa R. Layser
Tuesday, June 9, 2026 14:52
Lynnette M. Novak, v. Daryl G. Layser and Lisa R. Layser Civil Action-Law-Agreement-Promissory Note-Confession of Judgment Clause-Warrant of Attorney-Petition to Strike or to Open Confessed Judgment-Strict Adherence-Signature Under Seal-Consideration-Forbearance On November 5, 1985, Daryl G. Layser and Lisa R. Layser (“Defendants”) and the mother of Lisa R. Layser purchased a property secured by a mortgage that was satisfied in September […]
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Christian Matthew Hennessey
Tuesday, June 2, 2026 14:23
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Christian Matthew Hennessey Criminal Action-Constitutional Law-Homicide by Vehicle While Driving Under the Influence-Death of Passenger-Death of Unborn Child-Emergency Treatment-Blood Samples-Omnibus Pretrial Motion-Suppression of Evidence-Results of Blood Testing-Blood Drawn Under Title 75 Pa.C.S. §3755-Treatment Christian Matthew Hennessey (“Defendant”) was charged with multiple crimes including Homicide by Vehicle while Driving Under the Influence, Aggravated Assault of an Unborn […]
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Matthew Butler
Tuesday, May 5, 2026 14:22
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Matthew Butler Criminal Action-Law-Driving Under the Influence-Controlled Substance-Erratic Behavior-Motion in Limine-Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement Tests-Expert Testimony-Issue of Impairment-Training and Experience of Law Enforcement Officer-Corpus Delecti Rule-Operation of Vehicle-Circumstantial Evidence Matthew Butler (“Defendant”) was charged with Possession of Suboxone, Methamphetamine and Paraphernalia and Driving Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance relating to an incident in […]
Brandy L. Rivera, v. Luis Ruiz-Sepulveda
Tuesday, April 28, 2026 15:07
Brandy L. Rivera, v. Luis Ruiz-Sepulveda Civil Action-Family Law-Support-Paternity-Petition to Open Determination of Paternity-Acknowledgement of Paternity-Paternity by Estoppel-Best Interests of the Child The parties in this case on April 6, 2018 appeared before the Lebanon County Domestic Relations Office to execute an acknowledgement of paternity with regard to a child born on November 10, 2014. On April 19, 2024, Brandy […]
Robert L. Witman, v. Dollar General (Owners) and Dollar General (Store)
Tuesday, April 21, 2026 15:25
Robert L. Witman, v. Dollar General (Owners) and Dollar General (Store) Civil Action-Law-Negligence-Duty of Business-Invitee-Restroom Key Provided to Customer-Customer Overdose in Restroom-Customer In Restroom Overnight-Injuries Sustained-Preliminary Objections-Legal Sufficiency-Existence of a Duty Robert L. Witman (“Plaintiff”) filed a Complaint in Negligence alleging that employees of Dollar General closed the store without ensuring that he had left the store after he had […]
Lamar Hege, v. Swatara Township Zoning Hearing Board
Tuesday, April 14, 2026 14:34
Lamar Hege, v. Swatara Township Zoning Hearing Board Civil Action-Real Property Law-Zoning-Corn Crib-Grain Tanks-Preparation of Feed Supplements-Special Exception-Variance Lamar Hege filed an appeal from the decision of the Swatara Township Zoning Hearing Board (“Zoning Hearing Board”) that denied his appeal from a Notice of Violation issued regarding nonpermitted construction of a corn crib and grain tanks on the property and […]