Judge dismisses lawsuit against former Washington County DA
Article from:Tribune-Review/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Article date:January 31, 2009 More results for: john pettit murder
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by a man who claims former Washington County District Attorney John Pettit unsuccessfully tried to frame him for a double murder at a bar.
U.S. District Judge Terrence McVerry said Gerald Gregg cannot sue the former district attorney because Pettit is immune as a public official even if, as Gregg claims, his actions were "motivated by a corrupt or legal intention."
Pettit lost a re-election bid in 2007. He has acknowledged being under investigation by a federal grand jury, but has not been charged.
Gregg contends Pettit and others faked evidence and manipulated witnesses in the November 2003 killings. Pettit owed one of the victims $60,000 after losing a lawsuit. Gregg was acquitted at trial.