1 00:00:01,420 --> 00:00:02,350 Starting now. 2 00:00:03,050 --> 00:00:07,270 Commonalities where guests find common ground through uncommon 3 00:00:07,290 --> 00:00:10,910 conversations, politics, religion, finances, 4 00:00:11,010 --> 00:00:14,590 all the topics your grandmother told you not to discuss with friends. 5 00:00:14,930 --> 00:00:17,550 And now your host, Matthew Dowling. 6 00:00:17,770 --> 00:00:20,590 And today's guests on commonalities. 7 00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:26,670 Hi, thanks for tuning in to another episode of Commonalities. I'm their host, 8 00:00:26,670 --> 00:00:30,510 Matt Dack. My guest today is, uh, Mike Abel. 9 00:00:30,510 --> 00:00:34,750 He is a candidate for Fayette County District Attorney. Uh, 10 00:00:35,480 --> 00:00:38,470 Mr. Abel, we wanna thank you for being on the program here today. 11 00:00:38,770 --> 00:00:43,350 And right at the top of the program, I wanted to give you a chance to, 12 00:00:43,520 --> 00:00:48,310 uh, kind of discuss your history, your background, and, uh, you know, 13 00:00:48,310 --> 00:00:52,670 what experience you have with civil, civil or criminal law. Sure. 14 00:00:52,670 --> 00:00:57,350 Thank you for having me on. Um, so I started my professional career in the Army, 15 00:00:57,560 --> 00:01:01,720 uh, about a few months after I graduated high school. Right after nine 11, 16 00:01:02,230 --> 00:01:05,560 I joined the Army. I went to basic training and, uh, 17 00:01:05,560 --> 00:01:10,040 AIT down at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Trained as a military policeman. Um, 18 00:01:10,040 --> 00:01:14,160 my first duty station was in South Korea. After South Korea. 19 00:01:14,190 --> 00:01:17,640 I was stationed in Fort Lee, Virginia. And from there, 20 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:22,600 I did a deployment for a year to Afghanistan. Um, I, uh, 21 00:01:22,600 --> 00:01:27,000 got off active duty in 2008. I continued in reserves, 22 00:01:27,000 --> 00:01:31,120 and I retired last June with, uh, over 20 years of service. 23 00:01:32,210 --> 00:01:37,040 So I, uh, obviously performed law enforcement in the Army. I, 24 00:01:37,040 --> 00:01:41,480 uh, did a lot of patrol. I was a patrol supervisor. I was a, um, 25 00:01:41,870 --> 00:01:45,360 supervisor for the 9 1 1 station at Fort Lee. 26 00:01:45,880 --> 00:01:47,680 After getting off active duty, 27 00:01:48,270 --> 00:01:52,360 I spent some time as a correctional officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. 28 00:01:52,430 --> 00:01:55,160 I worked at the United States Penitentiary in Hazleton. 29 00:01:55,910 --> 00:01:59,680 I left that position to go to law school. And I, 30 00:02:00,410 --> 00:02:03,300 I had already had my degree from Penn State, 31 00:02:03,440 --> 00:02:07,140 and I went to Duchen University School of Law for my law degree. 32 00:02:08,250 --> 00:02:10,060 I went, when I left law school, 33 00:02:10,090 --> 00:02:14,500 I became a clerk for the Honorable Steve Luskin at the court, Ofcom Police, 34 00:02:14,500 --> 00:02:17,300 Fayette County. And I, uh, 35 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:21,660 was employed with the law firm of Davis and Davis for, uh, about seven years, 36 00:02:21,660 --> 00:02:24,260 up until last month. Um, 37 00:02:24,750 --> 00:02:27,140 so I did a lot of work with Davis and Davis. 38 00:02:27,170 --> 00:02:31,860 I was also a part-time assistant public defender. Um, 39 00:02:32,250 --> 00:02:36,620 I have experience, uh, with, uh, criminal defense with family law. 40 00:02:36,620 --> 00:02:41,300 I have 51 jury trials, three homicide cases. Um, that's, 41 00:02:41,300 --> 00:02:44,820 that's pretty much my background. Well, you know, you, 42 00:02:44,820 --> 00:02:48,380 you talked a little bit about being in law enforcement, both, uh, 43 00:02:48,380 --> 00:02:52,420 during your service, uh, in, in the armed forces. And, and by the way, 44 00:02:52,420 --> 00:02:56,500 I want to thank you for your service to our country and to our commonwealth. Um, 45 00:02:56,880 --> 00:02:58,620 but, uh, you know, you talked about your. 46 00:02:58,620 --> 00:03:02,920 Law enforcement background. How do you think that, uh, 47 00:03:03,150 --> 00:03:07,560 uniquely positions you to be a district attorney? 48 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:11,760 I know that, uh, that the district attorney many times has to work with, uh, 49 00:03:11,760 --> 00:03:15,880 with our psp, with the Pennsylvania State Police or local, uh, 50 00:03:15,880 --> 00:03:20,160 law enforcement agencies. So I wanted to kind of get your opinion on, 51 00:03:20,770 --> 00:03:25,640 um, you know, how you think that will, will make you a, a good candidate for, 52 00:03:25,650 --> 00:03:26,760 uh, district attorney. 53 00:03:27,500 --> 00:03:31,150 Well, the district attorney is the Chief Law Enforcement officer in the county. 54 00:03:31,680 --> 00:03:34,270 So having a law enforcement background, I'm the only, 55 00:03:34,650 --> 00:03:36,550 I'm actually the only attorney in, say, 56 00:03:36,550 --> 00:03:41,230 a county that's conducted a traffic stop that has performed a D U I arrest who's 57 00:03:41,230 --> 00:03:43,630 testified as an officer in court. Um, 58 00:03:43,630 --> 00:03:46,630 there has to be an understanding of how that job is performed, 59 00:03:46,630 --> 00:03:50,070 because the police are the ones who bring the district attorney the case. 60 00:03:50,070 --> 00:03:51,350 They're the ones that are on the road. 61 00:03:51,360 --> 00:03:53,190 They're the ones that are out in the community. 62 00:03:53,190 --> 00:03:54,790 They're the ones that are making the arrest. 63 00:03:54,790 --> 00:03:57,550 They're the ones that are gathering the evidence. District attorney, 64 00:03:57,550 --> 00:04:01,910 if the driving force behind that does direct some of that. But ultimately, 65 00:04:02,370 --> 00:04:06,790 law enforcement officers are the ones who are seeing it, who are living it, 66 00:04:06,790 --> 00:04:09,430 who are making the case. And, um, 67 00:04:09,570 --> 00:04:14,190 the district attorney's responsible for taking the work of the police officer on 68 00:04:14,190 --> 00:04:17,510 the road and, uh, bringing it to the judge, 69 00:04:17,510 --> 00:04:22,430 bringing it to the court for adjudication. So I think it's, uh, 70 00:04:22,780 --> 00:04:25,750 it's absolutely, it absolutely translates to the job. 71 00:04:25,750 --> 00:04:28,870 It gives me a unique perspective that nobody else has. 72 00:04:29,340 --> 00:04:33,790 Well, and and we talk a lot of times about the district attorney, as, you know, 73 00:04:33,790 --> 00:04:37,350 simply being a, a prosecutor. And, and like you said, 74 00:04:37,350 --> 00:04:39,910 they are taking the information, uh, 75 00:04:40,150 --> 00:04:43,750 that's been obtained through a traffic stop or Yeah. 76 00:04:43,750 --> 00:04:47,790 Through a criminal investigation, uh, by the police. And, and, 77 00:04:47,790 --> 00:04:51,990 and they do use that to, to prosecute. But, uh, 78 00:04:52,600 --> 00:04:55,550 in, in, I guess in some, uh, situations, 79 00:04:55,550 --> 00:04:58,590 the district attorney may even be called to a crime scene, 80 00:04:58,930 --> 00:05:03,830 but you're not the first one that's pulling that car over. Uh, you, you, 81 00:05:03,830 --> 00:05:08,790 you kind of have to take that hand off, uh, from the police because, uh, 82 00:05:08,790 --> 00:05:11,510 you know, they're the people that are out in the field 24 7, 83 00:05:11,510 --> 00:05:14,910 and and they would call upon you if, if they think that, uh, 84 00:05:14,910 --> 00:05:19,510 that you may need to come to a scene or, or to have information. Um, but that, 85 00:05:19,510 --> 00:05:24,350 that is a great point that, uh, that that handoff is, is done. And, 86 00:05:24,350 --> 00:05:27,030 uh, and you've had that experience, uh, 87 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:31,870 as a law enforcement agent, uh, yourself. So I, 88 00:05:31,980 --> 00:05:34,150 I guess my next question would be, 89 00:05:34,410 --> 00:05:39,230 how do you envision working with victims of crimes to ensure that they have 90 00:05:39,700 --> 00:05:44,590 access to whatever the resources that they need? Uh, you know, 91 00:05:44,840 --> 00:05:49,470 of course, you know, running for this office, I, I, I would imagine that, um, 92 00:05:49,470 --> 00:05:54,430 you know, part of your attempt is to build a better community. Um, 93 00:05:54,570 --> 00:05:58,800 but you know, specifically, how would you envision working with, 94 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:00,120 with victims of crimes? 95 00:06:01,260 --> 00:06:04,470 Well, first you have to make victims feel like you're fighting for them, 96 00:06:04,470 --> 00:06:08,950 that you're taking care of them, that you're going to bring them justice. And, 97 00:06:09,840 --> 00:06:14,670 um, I, I don't know that that's something that happens. Um, that happens enough. 98 00:06:14,940 --> 00:06:17,270 I've heard from unfortunately, 99 00:06:17,270 --> 00:06:19,390 a lot of victims' families that they're not being, 100 00:06:19,660 --> 00:06:22,190 that the things aren't explained to them, they're not, you know, 101 00:06:22,190 --> 00:06:25,350 kept in contact. They're not kept in the loop with, with what's going on. 102 00:06:25,350 --> 00:06:29,550 And sometimes even, you know, feel like they're being talked down to, 103 00:06:30,560 --> 00:06:34,190 um, a lot of that job is knowing what resources to, 104 00:06:34,190 --> 00:06:39,190 to give these families to, um, you know, to help them get through it. 105 00:06:39,680 --> 00:06:42,430 Um, especially victims of violent crime. Um, 106 00:06:42,480 --> 00:06:45,510 they've either lost somebody or they've lost something, 107 00:06:45,690 --> 00:06:49,310 and they're looking for the District Attorney's office to not j just give them 108 00:06:49,310 --> 00:06:49,710 that justice, 109 00:06:49,710 --> 00:06:53,350 but to be able to connect them with the resources available to them to help them 110 00:06:53,350 --> 00:06:56,590 get through it. And that's something that I will a, 111 00:06:56,820 --> 00:06:59,430 a lot of attention to when I'm in that position. 112 00:07:00,810 --> 00:07:05,030 You know, and, and I, um, I may, uh, 113 00:07:05,030 --> 00:07:07,630 be accused of, of asking you a question and, 114 00:07:07,630 --> 00:07:11,390 and setting you up for a favorable response. But honestly, 115 00:07:11,390 --> 00:07:15,670 this is something that I feel I have to ask, uh, any candidates, 116 00:07:15,670 --> 00:07:17,470 whether they be a candidate for, 117 00:07:17,810 --> 00:07:21,910 for judge or a candidate for district attorney or so forth, 118 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:26,710 um, because you are dealing with the law. And, uh, you know, 119 00:07:27,400 --> 00:07:28,350 in my eyes, 120 00:07:28,410 --> 00:07:33,110 the law should be blind and should apply to everyone, uh, 121 00:07:33,110 --> 00:07:37,990 regardless of, of race or economic background. In the same way, 122 00:07:38,520 --> 00:07:42,950 uh, here in Fayette County, and I don't mean this as a commentary on, uh, 123 00:07:42,950 --> 00:07:46,910 our current district attorney or, or anyone in PA particular, 124 00:07:46,910 --> 00:07:50,870 but over the years, over the last 25 years, um, 125 00:07:50,900 --> 00:07:53,310 here in Fayette County, there is a, 126 00:07:53,310 --> 00:07:57,950 a feeling among many of our constituents that different people are treated 127 00:07:58,230 --> 00:08:03,030 different ways, uh, basing on who they know or, you know, what, 128 00:08:03,030 --> 00:08:06,630 what, as I said, their socioeconomic background may be. 129 00:08:07,240 --> 00:08:11,830 So I wanted to give you a chance to talk a little bit about how you see 130 00:08:11,970 --> 00:08:13,750 the law being applied, and, 131 00:08:13,750 --> 00:08:18,230 and do you share that belief that it should be blinded, it should be universal, 132 00:08:18,680 --> 00:08:22,710 uh, regardless of a person's, uh, you know, individual background? 133 00:08:23,100 --> 00:08:25,550 Well, absolutely, and I've been running on that. My, 134 00:08:25,560 --> 00:08:28,950 my phrase is equal treatment for all. That's what you'll see on my t-shirts. 135 00:08:28,950 --> 00:08:31,910 That's what, what you'll see on my signs. That's why I'm running, 136 00:08:32,040 --> 00:08:36,430 because I don't, I agree with you. I don't feel, and based on what people have, 137 00:08:36,430 --> 00:08:38,190 you know, told me on the trail and what, 138 00:08:38,190 --> 00:08:41,390 what they've said to me even before I decided to make this run, 139 00:08:41,900 --> 00:08:46,630 they don't feel that the law applies to them the same way that it does for 140 00:08:46,830 --> 00:08:49,350 somebody based on who they know, who they're related to. 141 00:08:49,890 --> 00:08:54,550 And certainly over the last few years, and, and, you know, 142 00:08:54,790 --> 00:08:55,800 from last year, 143 00:08:56,230 --> 00:09:00,960 it's very evident that there has been special treatment violation of the law 144 00:09:01,290 --> 00:09:06,110 in order to satisfy a relative or somebody 145 00:09:06,110 --> 00:09:08,030 who is con closely connected to somebody. 146 00:09:08,210 --> 00:09:11,830 And that's something that doesn't need to continue. Um, yes, 147 00:09:11,830 --> 00:09:16,190 I do believe that everybody should be treated fairly regardless of who they are, 148 00:09:16,190 --> 00:09:21,190 regardless if they are somebody who is supporting me, somebody who opposed me, 149 00:09:21,910 --> 00:09:24,910 somebody who's poor, somebody who's rich. They should all be treated the same. 150 00:09:26,520 --> 00:09:31,470 So I wanna move on to talk about strategies that you would plan to use to 151 00:09:31,710 --> 00:09:36,550 tackling kind of the big problems of, of Fayette County. And I know when I ran, 152 00:09:36,570 --> 00:09:40,350 ran for the state legislature, now going back, uh, you know, 153 00:09:40,350 --> 00:09:43,750 seven or eight years now, when I first started to run, uh, 154 00:09:43,750 --> 00:09:47,750 one of the biggest issues that we have and we continue to have, uh, 155 00:09:47,800 --> 00:09:52,470 is a real drug epidemic that that is happening throughout the entire 156 00:09:52,470 --> 00:09:55,710 Commonwealth. But we're seeing it, uh, 157 00:09:55,710 --> 00:10:00,230 even happening at higher rates here in Fayette County, Pennsylvania. And, 158 00:10:00,230 --> 00:10:04,670 and I hate that because, you know, this is my home, the place that I love. Um, 159 00:10:04,670 --> 00:10:09,510 but we've, we've seen that, uh, that drug crimes are on the rise. 160 00:10:10,120 --> 00:10:14,590 So, you know, my my question is, what strategy would you use to, 161 00:10:15,360 --> 00:10:17,630 um, you know, tackling some of those, 162 00:10:17,630 --> 00:10:20,910 those drug drug crimes that are happening right in our backyard? 163 00:10:22,180 --> 00:10:24,230 Well, first of all, it's, uh, you know, 164 00:10:24,230 --> 00:10:27,950 it has affected almost everybody in this county. And it's a, 165 00:10:27,950 --> 00:10:32,150 it's affected my family as well. I have seven children in my house right now. 166 00:10:32,640 --> 00:10:37,350 Um, two nieces and two nephews that are, uh, that are living with me, 167 00:10:37,350 --> 00:10:42,030 uh, permanently. Um, and it's because of the drug problem. 168 00:10:42,810 --> 00:10:47,390 And, um, it, it's something that has not been addressed. 169 00:10:47,800 --> 00:10:52,150 Um, there needs to be a lot more focus on rehabilitation, 170 00:10:52,150 --> 00:10:56,950 on counseling for users. There needs to be more availability of it, 171 00:10:56,950 --> 00:10:58,590 there needs to be more money put into it. 172 00:10:59,090 --> 00:11:03,510 And I think we need to focus on more punishment for the people that are flooding 173 00:11:03,510 --> 00:11:06,150 our streets with it. It seems like everybody, 174 00:11:06,150 --> 00:11:08,550 regardless if they're a dealer or they're a user, 175 00:11:08,960 --> 00:11:12,150 they're either getting placed on house arrest, um, 176 00:11:12,330 --> 00:11:16,310 and given very little incentive to, 177 00:11:16,550 --> 00:11:21,510 to participate in our drug treatment court or our mental health court, 178 00:11:21,510 --> 00:11:23,230 or our veterans court, you know, 179 00:11:23,230 --> 00:11:27,190 these specialty programs that we have that are run by wonderful people, um, 180 00:11:27,370 --> 00:11:28,230 and they're just, 181 00:11:28,230 --> 00:11:31,990 they're placed on house arrest and they're kind of left at their devices and 182 00:11:31,990 --> 00:11:33,590 they end up violating, 183 00:11:33,590 --> 00:11:38,190 they end up getting sent to state prison or getting new charges. 184 00:11:39,080 --> 00:11:42,350 Um, and I can tell you, you know, the, 185 00:11:42,350 --> 00:11:46,160 the individual that you know has been, you know, I, 186 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:49,460 I would say that my family's been affected with has, you know, 187 00:11:49,460 --> 00:11:53,960 five pending charges right now and doesn't have any conditions right now that 188 00:11:53,960 --> 00:11:57,240 require, um, any kind of drug treatment. 189 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:00,470 So it, it's, it's a problem. 190 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:04,430 It is a problem that we're not making these folks that have the, uh, that have, 191 00:12:04,430 --> 00:12:08,230 uh, drug use issues, uh, participate in, 192 00:12:08,230 --> 00:12:11,750 in the programs that we have available, or that there's not more money to do so. 193 00:12:12,380 --> 00:12:13,910 Well, and, and you know, I, 194 00:12:13,910 --> 00:12:18,870 I would say that I completely agree with you on the treatment that is applied 195 00:12:19,040 --> 00:12:21,310 to, um, any type of addiction. 196 00:12:21,310 --> 00:12:24,750 I I'm sure you as well as our listeners know that, uh, 197 00:12:24,860 --> 00:12:28,750 that I struggled for a while with, with alcoholism and, uh, 198 00:12:28,750 --> 00:12:33,190 went into a 30 day treatment center. And, uh, and my life has, 199 00:12:33,190 --> 00:12:37,190 has never been better since, uh, since I've, I've gotten the help that, 200 00:12:37,190 --> 00:12:40,830 that I needed. Um, and I, I, 201 00:12:40,970 --> 00:12:44,350 one of the things that I try to do through this show and through other public 202 00:12:44,670 --> 00:12:49,270 outreach that I'm working on, is to destigmatize, um, 203 00:12:49,270 --> 00:12:53,990 you know, the, the fact that people have to ask for help because, 204 00:12:54,520 --> 00:12:58,470 uh, we, as, as Americans, uh, especially as men, 205 00:12:58,740 --> 00:13:03,670 were taught to kind of do things on our own and, and to not ask for help. Uh, 206 00:13:03,670 --> 00:13:07,310 but I think that destigmatization of, uh, 207 00:13:07,640 --> 00:13:10,870 of addiction issues is, is something that we have to work with. 208 00:13:10,870 --> 00:13:14,910 And in the general assembly, one of the things that we did while I was there, 209 00:13:15,560 --> 00:13:20,270 um, was to, uh, to lessen some of the, 210 00:13:20,270 --> 00:13:24,230 um, mandatory minimums that were in place, uh, 211 00:13:24,230 --> 00:13:27,910 for different lower level drug possession and so forth, 212 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:31,230 so that people could get back on their feet. And we weren't just, uh, 213 00:13:31,320 --> 00:13:36,150 weren't just holding them in, in prison for years and years and years. So, I, 214 00:13:36,150 --> 00:13:40,070 um, I'm in inspired by hearing the fact that, uh, 215 00:13:40,340 --> 00:13:44,630 that you think that we, we need to treat those, uh, those people with addiction, 216 00:13:45,160 --> 00:13:49,470 uh, to get them into the programs that they need to be in. And, you know, 217 00:13:49,470 --> 00:13:53,670 prison time may not be, uh, exactly what they need, but, 218 00:13:54,010 --> 00:13:57,990 but court ordered treatment may be something that, that they need. 219 00:13:58,400 --> 00:14:03,390 We do have people though that, uh, that are really hurting the system. 220 00:14:03,390 --> 00:14:06,750 And, and those are the, the, not the guys that are users, 221 00:14:06,810 --> 00:14:11,270 but that the people that are bringing the drugs into our communities. And, um, 222 00:14:11,270 --> 00:14:13,990 you know, unfortunately, as Fayette County District Attorney, you, 223 00:14:14,090 --> 00:14:18,550 you won't be able to stop the, the boats that are coming here from China with, 224 00:14:18,550 --> 00:14:22,710 uh, fentanyl and, and synthetic fentanyls car fentanyl. Um, 225 00:14:22,710 --> 00:14:27,030 and you won't be able to, to build a wall at our southern border to stop the, 226 00:14:27,030 --> 00:14:30,110 the drugs that are coming from, uh, from South America. 227 00:14:30,530 --> 00:14:34,670 But you do have to hold that Mason-Dixon line, uh, traveling into, 228 00:14:34,990 --> 00:14:36,990 into Fayette County. Um, 229 00:14:36,990 --> 00:14:41,350 so I wanted to give you an opportunity to talk more about, uh, you know, 230 00:14:41,410 --> 00:14:46,270 how you would prosecute or, or go about, uh, prosecuting, uh, 231 00:14:46,450 --> 00:14:48,750 the dealers that are out there on our streets. 232 00:14:49,960 --> 00:14:54,280 Well, basically, you're, you get a dealer off the street and everybody thinks, 233 00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:57,880 you know, well, you get one and then two more. Take his place. Well, okay, 234 00:14:58,370 --> 00:15:00,640 if two more, take his place and we're gonna get them two. 235 00:15:00,740 --> 00:15:04,360 And then if two more take their place, we'll get them two. Um, 236 00:15:04,690 --> 00:15:08,480 it feels like a lot of times we, we, uh, 237 00:15:08,730 --> 00:15:12,760 we get a dealer and we turn this person into a source, 238 00:15:12,760 --> 00:15:15,280 we turn this person into a CI to try to get the next guy, 239 00:15:15,280 --> 00:15:16,800 and then we turn this person into a ci. 240 00:15:16,980 --> 00:15:20,680 And it seems like everybody's a ci and you've got one guy out there that, 241 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:24,880 that appears to continue to be operating while we're just kind of, you know, 242 00:15:25,010 --> 00:15:29,520 getting somebody else. Um, I, and I don't think that that's appropriate. 243 00:15:30,570 --> 00:15:34,000 Um, if we're gonna be giving anybody any kind of quote unquote break, 244 00:15:34,000 --> 00:15:37,480 it should be somebody who's, you know, somebody who has a problem, 245 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:39,080 who's admitted that they have a problem, 246 00:15:39,080 --> 00:15:42,480 and who's willing to address that problem. And, 247 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:46,440 and I commend you for, for the steps that you've taken. And you're, you know, 248 00:15:47,030 --> 00:15:51,720 trying to remove the stigma, you know, behind this, this, this health issue. 249 00:15:52,220 --> 00:15:57,200 And, um, you know, it, it's, it, it's something that I, um, I'm very, you know, 250 00:15:57,200 --> 00:15:59,920 it's very close to my heart. There's nothing, 251 00:15:59,920 --> 00:16:03,800 there's nothing more satisfying to me than to see somebody that I've represented 252 00:16:04,210 --> 00:16:07,680 as a defense attorney that has had a problem, who's, 253 00:16:07,680 --> 00:16:10,400 who's taken responsibility, who's, 254 00:16:10,400 --> 00:16:13,160 who's gotten themselves to a place where they're better, 255 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:15,280 where they could become a productive member of society, 256 00:16:15,470 --> 00:16:19,520 take care of their families, work. It's, uh, it's a great thing. 257 00:16:20,100 --> 00:16:22,480 But, um, and that, 258 00:16:22,910 --> 00:16:27,520 that in and of itself is gonna help take care of the, uh, the problem, 259 00:16:28,210 --> 00:16:32,640 um, when you take away a customer, you know, you, 260 00:16:32,660 --> 00:16:35,520 you severely hurt the dealers that we have out there. 261 00:16:37,030 --> 00:16:41,120 Sure, sure. Well, Mike, we have to get our first break in, uh, 262 00:16:41,120 --> 00:16:43,720 here on commonalities today. When we come back, 263 00:16:43,720 --> 00:16:46,520 I wanna talk a little bit about your leadership experience, 264 00:16:46,520 --> 00:16:51,040 the experience you have, uh, in maybe leading other attorneys or, or, you know, 265 00:16:51,040 --> 00:16:53,120 being a member of a team, uh, 266 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:56,080 because I think that's something really important for, uh, 267 00:16:56,080 --> 00:17:00,640 our district attorney who's, you know, leading the adas and so forth. But, uh, 268 00:17:00,640 --> 00:17:04,280 we're gonna get our first break in. We'll be right back on commonalities. 269 00:17:07,470 --> 00:17:11,880 Your listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 270 00:17:12,280 --> 00:17:13,720 uncommon conversations. 271 00:17:14,240 --> 00:17:17,720 We'll be back after this brief break to recognize our sponsors. 272 00:17:20,820 --> 00:17:23,680 I'm Melinda De LaRose. As an Assistant District Attorney, 273 00:17:23,710 --> 00:17:27,680 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 274 00:17:27,680 --> 00:17:30,400 rights. As a prosecutor and trusted local attorney, 275 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,600 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 276 00:17:34,600 --> 00:17:37,960 bars. My pledge to you as judge is to follow the law, 277 00:17:37,960 --> 00:17:40,280 always maintain the highest ethical standards, 278 00:17:40,280 --> 00:17:44,640 and to run a courtroom that's respectful of your time and tax dollars. 279 00:17:44,940 --> 00:17:48,360 I'm Melinda de LaRose asking for your vote for Judge paid. 280 00:17:48,360 --> 00:17:50,160 For by Friends of of Melinda Delrose. 281 00:17:50,610 --> 00:17:54,800 Is your business using analog strategies in a digital marketing world? 282 00:17:55,210 --> 00:17:55,880 If so, 283 00:17:55,880 --> 00:18:00,600 then contact Matthew or Rebecca Dowling at Coordinated 360 for a 284 00:18:00,600 --> 00:18:04,520 professional consultation where we bring in-depth knowledge and functional 285 00:18:04,520 --> 00:18:06,400 expertise with a holistic perspective. 286 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:12,120 Coordinated 360 provides digital marketing, paid ad and media buying services, 287 00:18:12,140 --> 00:18:17,040 web design, social media management, video production, and more for businesses, 288 00:18:17,100 --> 00:18:21,560 organizations, and political campaigns with decades of experience. 289 00:18:21,560 --> 00:18:26,120 Matt and Becky at Coordinated 360 can help you craft your unique message 290 00:18:26,260 --> 00:18:27,960 and share it with the world. 291 00:18:28,100 --> 00:18:31,520 For a no risk media evaluation and recommendations, 292 00:18:31,750 --> 00:18:35,800 call 7 2 4 3 2 0 22 12, 293 00:18:36,090 --> 00:18:38,080 or visit us online at 294 00:18:38,700 --> 00:18:43,560 www.coordinatedthreesixty.com. Find us also on Facebook, 295 00:18:43,560 --> 00:18:44,840 Instagram, and Twitter, 296 00:18:45,170 --> 00:18:48,920 or email info coordinated three sixty.com. 297 00:18:50,870 --> 00:18:52,840 When it comes to buying a home, 298 00:18:53,190 --> 00:18:56,280 what you see isn't exactly what you get. 299 00:18:56,670 --> 00:19:01,080 That's why home buyers should call Dave Dowling at Grandview 300 00:19:01,080 --> 00:19:05,840 Inspections at 7 2 4 2 0 8 4 1 0 8. 301 00:19:06,150 --> 00:19:09,600 You'll see colorful flowers, freshly painted walls, 302 00:19:09,890 --> 00:19:14,160 granite countertops, gleaming hardwood floors, and other touches. 303 00:19:14,510 --> 00:19:18,400 What you can't see is the cracks, ancient plumbing, 304 00:19:18,720 --> 00:19:19,960 dangerous wiring, 305 00:19:20,290 --> 00:19:25,280 or broken appliances that might be revealed when you hire a home 306 00:19:25,280 --> 00:19:28,600 inspector. 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Again, 324 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:43,960 that is donate.commonalities.online on the worldwide web. 325 00:20:44,180 --> 00:20:48,760 Buy our host a cup of coffee or help pay for airtime at donate dot commonalities 326 00:20:48,760 --> 00:20:49,593 online. 327 00:20:53,170 --> 00:20:56,260 Well, thanks for staying with us here on commonalities. I'm your host, 328 00:20:56,260 --> 00:20:58,780 Matt Dowling, and my guest today is Mike Abel. 329 00:20:58,780 --> 00:21:03,100 He is a candidate for Fayette County District Attorney. And, uh, 330 00:21:03,100 --> 00:21:04,020 so far in the program, 331 00:21:04,020 --> 00:21:08,380 we've been talking a little bit about his legal background and, uh, 332 00:21:08,380 --> 00:21:13,340 specifically how he intends to tackle one of the biggest problems 333 00:21:13,340 --> 00:21:18,300 that we have in Fayette County, which is, uh, the illegal drug use and, and, uh, 334 00:21:19,150 --> 00:21:22,820 uh, addiction issues that we have going on in the area. 335 00:21:23,090 --> 00:21:24,780 I said before the break, Mike, 336 00:21:24,780 --> 00:21:29,300 that we wanted to hear from you about your experience, uh, 337 00:21:29,300 --> 00:21:33,060 with leadership, because the district attorney, uh, is, 338 00:21:33,360 --> 00:21:37,380 has to lead an office, um, of other prosecutors. 339 00:21:37,400 --> 00:21:41,420 And here in Fayette County, you know, we don't have unlimited resources. 340 00:21:41,420 --> 00:21:45,180 Our adas, uh, you know, are part-time. And, uh, 341 00:21:45,370 --> 00:21:49,020 I quite frankly don't think that they're all compensated, uh, 342 00:21:49,020 --> 00:21:51,380 as well as maybe they should be. Uh, 343 00:21:51,380 --> 00:21:54,940 but that's some of the problems that we have in, in smaller counties. Uh, 344 00:21:54,940 --> 00:21:59,340 so I wanted to get your, your thoughts on the team approach that, uh, 345 00:21:59,340 --> 00:22:03,620 that you would have to take and, and how you would lead a team of attorneys to, 346 00:22:03,620 --> 00:22:06,140 uh, to prosecute here in Fayette County. 347 00:22:06,920 --> 00:22:11,370 Sure. Well, I, uh, when I was in the military, I, uh, 348 00:22:11,370 --> 00:22:15,120 I was a non-commissioned officer, so, um, 349 00:22:15,220 --> 00:22:19,440 and I was a patrol supervisor, um, when I was, uh, 350 00:22:19,440 --> 00:22:20,920 when I was police, 351 00:22:21,130 --> 00:22:26,050 so I was essentially a shift leader. 352 00:22:26,420 --> 00:22:31,250 So I had about five or six, uh, officers between, uh, 353 00:22:31,570 --> 00:22:34,490 military police and civilian police on our, uh, 354 00:22:34,490 --> 00:22:37,010 port Lee military installation that I would supervise. 355 00:22:37,010 --> 00:22:39,690 And I would direct their work where they would patrol, 356 00:22:39,690 --> 00:22:43,010 what type of patrol they would do. If we had a serious incident, 357 00:22:43,010 --> 00:22:45,490 we had some kind of response, I would determine who did, 358 00:22:45,590 --> 00:22:50,370 who was assigned to what duty, um, who would, uh, go off and, 359 00:22:50,370 --> 00:22:54,900 and do other duties from there. I was a 9 1 1 supervisor, 360 00:22:54,910 --> 00:22:59,340 so I supervised our response on the installation for 9 1 1 361 00:22:59,340 --> 00:23:03,980 services, for fire, for police. Um, and, uh, 362 00:23:04,770 --> 00:23:08,940 I continued that after, after I got off of active duties in the, uh, 363 00:23:08,940 --> 00:23:12,620 in the reserves, and I led troops there as well. Um, 364 00:23:12,910 --> 00:23:17,210 so it's, um, I think number one, 365 00:23:17,210 --> 00:23:20,770 the biggest thing that, uh, the biggest thing that you can, 366 00:23:21,000 --> 00:23:25,370 that you can do to, to be a good and effective leader is to be knowledgeable, 367 00:23:25,820 --> 00:23:29,850 is to, is to, you know, continue to learn. And I, uh, 368 00:23:29,850 --> 00:23:33,170 I took that approach throughout the military. I went to every class, 369 00:23:33,170 --> 00:23:34,170 every school I could, 370 00:23:34,560 --> 00:23:39,250 I was one of the very few military policemen on the installation that was 371 00:23:39,250 --> 00:23:42,250 qualified as a civilian police officer. I did a, uh, 372 00:23:42,490 --> 00:23:46,760 civilian police academy when I was in Virginia. I was also, uh, 373 00:23:46,990 --> 00:23:48,240 I was also, uh, 374 00:23:48,240 --> 00:23:52,280 certified to be an instructor at the police academy at the tail end of my career 375 00:23:52,280 --> 00:23:56,680 there. And I, I've, I've taken that same approach in the law, 376 00:23:57,050 --> 00:24:01,000 um, study case law, be knowledgeable about, 377 00:24:01,710 --> 00:24:05,010 you know, what this job entails, um, 378 00:24:05,860 --> 00:24:08,880 and that's how you lead. That's how you, you know, direct your, 379 00:24:09,150 --> 00:24:13,400 direct your staff. Um, additionally, you gotta be, you gotta be firm. 380 00:24:13,400 --> 00:24:17,280 You gotta be fair. You have to, you have to direct the work. You have to, 381 00:24:17,500 --> 00:24:21,760 you know, you have to, to have the people under you know what they need to do. 382 00:24:21,860 --> 00:24:24,120 You know, this is the case we're gonna prosecute. 383 00:24:24,120 --> 00:24:27,120 This is how we're going to prosecute these specific cases. 384 00:24:27,470 --> 00:24:31,520 This is the type of evidence that we need to have. This is the type, 385 00:24:31,520 --> 00:24:34,840 these are the types of things that we need to have. Um, 386 00:24:36,290 --> 00:24:40,150 and, um, if you, historically, if, 387 00:24:40,150 --> 00:24:42,950 if you don't direct that work, if you don't, you know, 388 00:24:43,060 --> 00:24:47,510 ensure that your people are are doing things're routinely, 389 00:24:47,510 --> 00:24:49,110 then things tend to get missed. 390 00:24:49,110 --> 00:24:52,510 And that's when you get stuck in a situation where you don't have a piece of 391 00:24:52,670 --> 00:24:56,310 evidence tested, or you haven't interviewed a specific witness, 392 00:24:56,480 --> 00:24:59,350 or you haven't gotten a subpoena out when it's supposed to, 393 00:24:59,350 --> 00:25:02,070 when it's supposed to have been served. Um, 394 00:25:02,070 --> 00:25:05,430 and that's something that I will take great care to make sure, you know, 395 00:25:05,430 --> 00:25:07,470 everybody's in line where they need to be. 396 00:25:09,250 --> 00:25:14,240 So let's switch our focus here now to talk a little bit about public 397 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:16,840 safety throughout the county, and, uh, 398 00:25:16,840 --> 00:25:21,520 specifically what policies you would plan to implement that would 399 00:25:21,520 --> 00:25:24,000 promote, uh, any type of public safety. 400 00:25:26,310 --> 00:25:30,540 Uh, um, I'm not sure I understand the question. Um, 401 00:25:31,230 --> 00:25:34,260 so maybe explain a little more. I'm sorry. 402 00:25:34,260 --> 00:25:38,580 Yeah, yeah. Not, no, no, not a problem at all. Um, but, you know, 403 00:25:38,830 --> 00:25:43,540 as the chief law enforcement, uh, officer of the county, uh, 404 00:25:43,540 --> 00:25:47,940 you do have the ability not just to, to prosecute, 405 00:25:48,230 --> 00:25:51,340 uh, those who have committed a crime, although, you know, 406 00:25:51,340 --> 00:25:54,660 that's your chief responsibility and working with law enforcement to do that. 407 00:25:55,120 --> 00:25:59,540 But you also, uh, have the ability to start some initiatives. 408 00:25:59,540 --> 00:26:04,500 And the one that I'm thinking of, um, that has been common around, 409 00:26:05,190 --> 00:26:07,460 uh, Pennsylvania has been, uh, 410 00:26:07,460 --> 00:26:12,420 different drug take back date that have been organized to get 411 00:26:12,420 --> 00:26:17,220 some of the legal prescription drugs off the street. And, uh, 412 00:26:17,640 --> 00:26:21,460 and therefore they don't fall into the, the wrong hands. Um, 413 00:26:21,460 --> 00:26:26,060 I was just curious if, if you had any ideas of programs like that, 414 00:26:26,060 --> 00:26:29,540 that you would want to initiate. Um, and I, I'm sorry if, 415 00:26:29,820 --> 00:26:34,100 if I didn't ask that in a direct enough way, but, uh, you know, kind of the, 416 00:26:34,100 --> 00:26:37,740 the, the public service, uh, end of your office are, 417 00:26:37,760 --> 00:26:40,100 are there any initiatives that you've thought about? 418 00:26:41,210 --> 00:26:43,060 I don't have anything specific planned, 419 00:26:43,160 --> 00:26:46,680 but I do think that there needs to be a lot more focus on community policing. 420 00:26:47,290 --> 00:26:51,320 Um, getting out, getting out with the, with the, uh, with the public, um, 421 00:26:51,320 --> 00:26:55,800 talking to the public, you know, especially in a county like ours where we have, 422 00:26:55,810 --> 00:27:00,040 uh, a, a great deal of our county is covered by the state police. Um, 423 00:27:00,040 --> 00:27:02,920 and there's, it's a lot of ground to cover, 424 00:27:02,920 --> 00:27:06,520 and there's especially some areas in the mountain where I think it probably, 425 00:27:06,940 --> 00:27:10,720 you know, you're probably talking 20 to 30 minute police response at best. 426 00:27:11,610 --> 00:27:16,160 Um, so getting out into community, introducing ourselves to, 427 00:27:16,160 --> 00:27:19,200 so these folks, letting them know that, you know, we're working for them, 428 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:24,180 I think that that's very important. Um, I do, uh, 429 00:27:24,180 --> 00:27:28,620 you know, it is very nice that we do these drug, uh, programs, um, 430 00:27:29,270 --> 00:27:30,103 as well. 431 00:27:32,430 --> 00:27:37,040 Yeah. And, and, and I think that, um, you know, for years we, 432 00:27:37,040 --> 00:27:41,520 we've seen, um, legal drugs end up on our streets. And, 433 00:27:41,520 --> 00:27:44,080 and I will, I'll share kind of an, 434 00:27:44,080 --> 00:27:48,480 an anecdotal conversation that I had at one point in time, uh, 435 00:27:48,480 --> 00:27:51,320 when I was a state representative, I was meeting with, uh, 436 00:27:51,630 --> 00:27:55,320 with people from senior life, uh, in Uniontown, 437 00:27:55,820 --> 00:28:00,440 and they were actually kind of lamenting about the fact that, um, 438 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:04,040 they had to call the police and report, um, 439 00:28:04,110 --> 00:28:07,720 some of the seniors within their facility, um, 440 00:28:07,720 --> 00:28:11,880 that were selling the drugs that were provided to them. So, you know, 441 00:28:11,880 --> 00:28:16,160 a drug takeback wouldn't get this away, but, uh, or get rid of this problem. 442 00:28:16,160 --> 00:28:20,960 But it simply amazed me that, you know, you had grandma who, you know, 443 00:28:20,960 --> 00:28:25,480 goes to church every Sunday, and because she was on such a fixed income, 444 00:28:26,170 --> 00:28:30,360 um, you know, she was thinking that it was okay to, to sell some of her, 445 00:28:30,890 --> 00:28:35,200 uh, narcotics or prescription painkillers. And, uh, 446 00:28:35,200 --> 00:28:37,920 and that just kind of blew me away, that that was happening in, 447 00:28:37,920 --> 00:28:40,880 in a facility like senior life. Um, 448 00:28:41,380 --> 00:28:46,240 and to no fault of Senior Lifes, of course. Um, but these individuals just, 449 00:28:46,240 --> 00:28:50,080 you know, a a lot of people think, well, this drug was prescribed to me, 450 00:28:50,080 --> 00:28:53,000 it's safe. Maybe I could share it with someone else. Um, 451 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:57,360 or if they do know the dangers and the harms, uh, they do it because, you know, 452 00:28:57,360 --> 00:29:02,320 they're stretched so, so negatively, economically. And, uh, 453 00:29:02,540 --> 00:29:06,360 and, and like I said, that was just kind of astonishing to me that, 454 00:29:06,550 --> 00:29:11,000 that that happens with our, even with our senior citizens. Um, 455 00:29:11,000 --> 00:29:14,520 they don't really fit the mo that, that I thought would, uh, 456 00:29:14,520 --> 00:29:18,680 would go along with someone who was, who was track trafficking, uh, 457 00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:20,080 drugs throughout Fayette County. 458 00:29:20,890 --> 00:29:24,800 No, absolutely not. And, uh, I, I will say that I'm, I'm pretty, 459 00:29:25,070 --> 00:29:29,680 pretty happy to say I've never heard of a, a prosecution like that. So, 460 00:29:30,290 --> 00:29:33,840 um, I mean, that's, that's definitely an idea. It would be nice to, 461 00:29:33,840 --> 00:29:36,000 to be able to give some outreach to these folks as well. 462 00:29:36,330 --> 00:29:38,920 It is unfortunate that somebody is put into a, 463 00:29:39,110 --> 00:29:41,000 a position economically where they, 464 00:29:41,040 --> 00:29:43,000 they feel that they need to do something like that. 465 00:29:45,260 --> 00:29:49,910 Sure. So, um, I, you know, I, I wanna give you the chance to, 466 00:29:50,040 --> 00:29:54,430 to discuss some other issues that we may not have, uh, so far. 467 00:29:55,010 --> 00:29:58,870 And, uh, and just kind of lead you into that conversation. I would ask, 468 00:29:58,870 --> 00:30:02,310 you know, what made you, uh, 469 00:30:02,460 --> 00:30:06,270 want to run for public office? You know, I've, I've served in, 470 00:30:06,320 --> 00:30:10,070 in public office before. I can tell you it's not always a cup of tea, 471 00:30:10,070 --> 00:30:14,270 and I'm sure you know that. Um, but what made you feel called to, 472 00:30:14,400 --> 00:30:18,590 to run for district attorney specifically now in Fayette County? 473 00:30:19,780 --> 00:30:22,670 Well, to be frank, um, 474 00:30:22,780 --> 00:30:25,750 I think that we need a change in the District Attorney's office. 475 00:30:26,370 --> 00:30:31,350 I'm not satisfied with how some things have been done. Um, I'm not satisfied, 476 00:30:32,150 --> 00:30:34,740 um, with, uh, with, with, um, 477 00:30:35,910 --> 00:30:39,110 situation that we've been put in where we have a district attorney that I, 478 00:30:39,110 --> 00:30:43,470 I believe is the first ever be publicly reprimanded for, for misconduct. 479 00:30:44,480 --> 00:30:47,500 And I have had a, a big issue, 480 00:30:48,370 --> 00:30:53,310 let me back up there. I am a very strong supporter of the Second Amendment. 481 00:30:53,600 --> 00:30:56,670 It is something that has been close to my heart, you know, 482 00:30:56,680 --> 00:30:59,590 my entire adult life since I joined the military. 483 00:31:00,250 --> 00:31:04,390 And we are a concealed carry permit state. 484 00:31:05,360 --> 00:31:09,990 And when you get a concealed carry permit, you know, we've, 485 00:31:10,050 --> 00:31:13,900 you know, you've, you've had a background check, and a, 486 00:31:13,900 --> 00:31:17,460 a sheriff has determined that you are somebody who is, who, 487 00:31:17,460 --> 00:31:20,900 who is responsible enough to carry a weapon concealed to protect yourself, 488 00:31:20,900 --> 00:31:25,500 protect others, protect property. And we've had, 489 00:31:25,750 --> 00:31:28,270 in the last five years, 490 00:31:28,550 --> 00:31:33,230 we've had three concealed carry permit holders prosecuted in this county. 491 00:31:34,390 --> 00:31:37,590 And every one of them, again, 492 00:31:37,710 --> 00:31:42,480 concealed carry permit from the county of Fayette, from our sheriff, 493 00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:46,800 every single one of them, um, clear record, 494 00:31:47,250 --> 00:31:49,920 no previous convictions for any criminal conduct, 495 00:31:50,380 --> 00:31:53,520 and one of those individuals was an Iraq war veteran. 496 00:31:55,000 --> 00:31:57,320 Now, it is, 497 00:31:57,820 --> 00:32:02,640 self-defense is not always going to be the situation that we, that we think of. 498 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:04,800 It's not gonna be three o'clock in the morning, 499 00:32:05,520 --> 00:32:08,240 somebody breaking into your house in a, you know, 500 00:32:08,340 --> 00:32:12,960 and coming in there to hurt you. It's not going to be something so clear cut. 501 00:32:13,740 --> 00:32:14,573 But, um, 502 00:32:15,180 --> 00:32:19,540 these three individuals all turned themselves into the police 503 00:32:19,740 --> 00:32:22,660 after having to use a weapon to defend themselves. 504 00:32:22,660 --> 00:32:27,600 And all three of them were initially at least prosecuted for first 505 00:32:27,840 --> 00:32:30,860 degree murder. And I'm not okay with that. 506 00:32:31,800 --> 00:32:34,940 I'm happy to say that I defended one of those individuals, uh, 507 00:32:34,940 --> 00:32:39,600 Christopher Shell Hammerer for an incident that happened in Mason Town in 2018. 508 00:32:40,300 --> 00:32:43,480 Now, he was prosecuted as a first degree murder, 509 00:32:43,710 --> 00:32:47,560 even though we had clear evidence that he was told that this individual, 510 00:32:47,560 --> 00:32:52,200 that he was clearly scared and was not gonna be anywhere near the house of this 511 00:32:52,200 --> 00:32:52,570 individual. 512 00:32:52,570 --> 00:32:57,220 He was going to see that he was in the house for five minutes, 513 00:32:57,530 --> 00:33:01,340 that he left that house with a broken jaw and a broken nose, 514 00:33:02,330 --> 00:33:05,800 and it was attacked by a convicted felon. 515 00:33:05,800 --> 00:33:10,360 And his girlfriend in the house drove straight to the Masontown police station, 516 00:33:10,750 --> 00:33:11,840 gave them his weapon, 517 00:33:12,110 --> 00:33:16,360 called for an ambulance on the way for the person that he had just shot 518 00:33:17,210 --> 00:33:21,730 first degree murder. He did 22 months, 22 months in our jail, 519 00:33:21,840 --> 00:33:25,010 away from his family, away from his son. 520 00:33:25,850 --> 00:33:29,270 And we had a, we had an acquittal in about an hour. 521 00:33:30,670 --> 00:33:35,240 Clearly Fayette County jury saw right through it, 522 00:33:35,460 --> 00:33:39,000 saw that it was self-defense, clear cut, state case of self-defense, 523 00:33:39,180 --> 00:33:42,560 but it should have never happened. And in. 524 00:33:42,890 --> 00:33:47,400 In, you know, I just wanna, I just wanna clarify for our listeners, uh, 525 00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:49,480 what you're talking about, and I'm familiar with, 526 00:33:49,480 --> 00:33:52,520 with the cases that you're speaking of, um, you know, 527 00:33:52,740 --> 00:33:56,640 the basis of premeditation, uh, for the, 528 00:33:56,640 --> 00:34:00,520 the first degree murder was the fact that these individuals had gone out and 529 00:34:00,520 --> 00:34:04,840 gotten a concealed carry permit, if I'm correct, that's what you're saying, 530 00:34:04,840 --> 00:34:05,673 right? 531 00:34:06,010 --> 00:34:08,560 Uh, that was, that was somewhat of the implication. 532 00:34:08,560 --> 00:34:11,440 There was a statement made at least one of the hearings that, you know, 533 00:34:11,440 --> 00:34:14,400 when you have a concealed weapon, you're, you're premeditating it, 534 00:34:14,400 --> 00:34:19,240 you're gonna go shoot somebody. And that's, that's how people felt. 535 00:34:19,240 --> 00:34:23,000 That's how these folks felt. Because again, 536 00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:26,560 they're not perfect situations. The, the first one was, 537 00:34:26,560 --> 00:34:30,600 was an individual who was attacked in a parking lot in the middle of the night, 538 00:34:31,320 --> 00:34:35,940 and he fires him self-defense. And after the smoke settles, and after, 539 00:34:35,940 --> 00:34:38,700 after the whole thing's over, he realizes this is a, 540 00:34:38,700 --> 00:34:43,700 this is a former acquaintance that just decided to attack in the 541 00:34:43,700 --> 00:34:47,980 middle of the parking lot. And my guy, my client, you know, 542 00:34:48,050 --> 00:34:49,780 he's going over to be a girl, 543 00:34:50,120 --> 00:34:54,020 and you can kind of figure out what he thinks he's gonna go through with this, 544 00:34:54,020 --> 00:34:58,790 with this woman, and he's attacked. And then the third one is, uh, 545 00:34:58,920 --> 00:35:02,430 is a gentleman who was run off the road, um, by, 546 00:35:02,880 --> 00:35:05,630 by an ex-boyfriend of his current girlfriend, 547 00:35:05,690 --> 00:35:09,070 and then attacked in a parking lot after they had laid in, 548 00:35:09,070 --> 00:35:11,330 wait for him for over an hour. Um, 549 00:35:11,330 --> 00:35:14,730 and the guy that came up rushed the car ended up being unarmed. 550 00:35:14,730 --> 00:35:17,170 But how are you supposed to know that in the heat of it? 551 00:35:17,270 --> 00:35:21,250 And that's the thing about self-defense. Pennsylvania has very clear, 552 00:35:21,640 --> 00:35:26,330 very clear law on self-defense. We have the Castle doctrine, 553 00:35:26,750 --> 00:35:28,130 and, you know, 554 00:35:28,210 --> 00:35:33,170 there is a rebuttal presumption that if you use a firearm 555 00:35:33,260 --> 00:35:35,610 in self-defense, that you are acting reasonably. 556 00:35:36,430 --> 00:35:40,920 And when I say rebuttable presumption, that's a legal term. 557 00:35:40,920 --> 00:35:44,920 That means in the absence of some clear evidence that, 558 00:35:44,920 --> 00:35:47,440 that you can say it wasn't reasonable. 559 00:35:47,650 --> 00:35:50,480 We have to assume that you're acting reasonably, 560 00:35:51,010 --> 00:35:55,400 because if you're in legal possession of a firearm and you have to use it in 561 00:35:55,640 --> 00:35:59,160 self-defense, we have to assume that you're doing it reasonably. 562 00:35:59,460 --> 00:36:02,880 But these three individuals were never given the benefit and the doubts, 563 00:36:02,950 --> 00:36:07,080 they were immediately vilified, every one of them incarcerated. 564 00:36:07,620 --> 00:36:12,480 And it, it's, it's, again, it's something that should have never happened. 565 00:36:12,510 --> 00:36:15,880 It's something that should never happen in a county like Fayette, where, 566 00:36:15,880 --> 00:36:18,400 where we talk about, we pay, 567 00:36:19,210 --> 00:36:23,440 we pay lip service to being a Second Amendment sanctuary, 568 00:36:23,560 --> 00:36:27,240 which we should be. But then we do these things, 569 00:36:27,290 --> 00:36:31,140 we prosecute these three individuals, all of them acquitted, 570 00:36:31,750 --> 00:36:33,930 and thank God they were all acquitted. 571 00:36:34,350 --> 00:36:39,090 But you know, it, and I spent, I spent the last six years, uh, 572 00:36:39,250 --> 00:36:42,170 fighting for constitutional carry where, uh, you, 573 00:36:42,170 --> 00:36:46,130 you wouldn't have needed to get your permit from the sheriff's, uh, office. And, 574 00:36:46,130 --> 00:36:49,370 and there's a lot of arguments that can be made, I think, in, 575 00:36:49,370 --> 00:36:53,770 in favor of constitutional carry here in the United States specifically, uh, 576 00:36:53,990 --> 00:36:55,810 the phrasing and wording of, 577 00:36:55,810 --> 00:37:00,450 of some of the questions that are on the concealed carry permit application. Um, 578 00:37:00,550 --> 00:37:05,290 but you know, in into our conversation right now, I never thought of, 579 00:37:05,430 --> 00:37:08,810 you know, trying to fight for cons, uh, for, uh, 580 00:37:09,170 --> 00:37:13,730 constitutional carry based on, uh, the legal practice that, 581 00:37:14,270 --> 00:37:18,370 you know, that someone who has a carry permit may be, uh, 582 00:37:18,610 --> 00:37:22,250 maybe going out to with the intentions of shooting someone. And, 583 00:37:22,250 --> 00:37:25,490 and I think that would've made, uh, for great debate on the, 584 00:37:25,490 --> 00:37:30,050 the Pennsylvania House floor. Um, and I'm disappointed I didn't think about it, 585 00:37:30,050 --> 00:37:34,610 uh, at that point in time to use these cases as, as an example. Um, 586 00:37:34,940 --> 00:37:38,690 so I, I think it's safe to say that, uh, that you are a, 587 00:37:39,050 --> 00:37:43,890 a large supporter of the Second Amendment, the right to keep and bears, uh, 588 00:37:43,950 --> 00:37:46,490 and, and I think that's what a lot of people here in, 589 00:37:46,490 --> 00:37:51,090 in Fayette County want to hear and, and want to know. Uh, 590 00:37:51,090 --> 00:37:53,690 you know, because we do have a, a lot of people that, 591 00:37:53,690 --> 00:37:58,130 whether it be carrying a firearm to protect themselves or hunting for sports, 592 00:37:58,140 --> 00:38:01,650 et cetera, uh, here in, in, in our area, 593 00:38:01,650 --> 00:38:06,370 responsible gun ownership is, is something that, uh, you know, 594 00:38:06,370 --> 00:38:09,570 speaks volumes. And, and we have a lot of people that participate in that. 595 00:38:10,380 --> 00:38:14,950 Absolutely. It is, again, it's something that is absolutely important to me, 596 00:38:14,950 --> 00:38:17,910 that support is unwavering. And it's not just for hunting's, 597 00:38:17,910 --> 00:38:19,030 not just for self-defense, 598 00:38:19,030 --> 00:38:22,470 it's for the ability for you to resist the tyrannical government. 599 00:38:22,470 --> 00:38:24,790 That is the reason why we have firearms. 600 00:38:24,790 --> 00:38:27,350 That is the reason why the Second Amendment was created. 601 00:38:28,060 --> 00:38:31,550 I think every society that has been overtaken by their government, 602 00:38:31,550 --> 00:38:36,140 by a dictator has had their weapons taken first. And that is, 603 00:38:36,360 --> 00:38:37,193 you know, 604 00:38:37,330 --> 00:38:41,890 that's something that I live by and we certainly should be a constitutional 605 00:38:41,890 --> 00:38:43,370 carry, uh, state. 606 00:38:45,080 --> 00:38:49,010 Well, Mike, we have to get our last break in on the, the show today. 607 00:38:49,010 --> 00:38:51,930 And when we come back, I want you, uh, we'll just have a couple minutes. 608 00:38:51,930 --> 00:38:55,970 I want you to be able to tell people how to get in touch with you, uh, 609 00:38:55,970 --> 00:38:58,970 to get involved with your campaign and so forth. 610 00:38:58,970 --> 00:39:02,490 But we gotta get that quick break in. When we come back, we'll have about, uh, 611 00:39:02,490 --> 00:39:06,210 two minutes to wrap things up, final thoughts and your contact information. 612 00:39:06,290 --> 00:39:08,450 Stick with us here on commonalities. 613 00:39:11,590 --> 00:39:16,290 You listening to commonalities where guests find common ground through 614 00:39:16,610 --> 00:39:17,810 uncommon conversations. 615 00:39:18,330 --> 00:39:21,810 We'll be back after this brief break to recognize our sponsors. 616 00:39:24,910 --> 00:39:27,770 I'm Melinda De LaRose. As an Assistant District Attorney, 617 00:39:27,800 --> 00:39:31,770 I've protected Fayette County families and fought to uphold our constitutional 618 00:39:31,770 --> 00:39:34,490 rights. As a prosecutor and trusted local attorney, 619 00:39:34,490 --> 00:39:38,690 I've provided victims of crime with a strong voice and put criminals behind 620 00:39:38,690 --> 00:39:42,090 bars. My pledge to you as Judge is to follow the law, 621 00:39:42,090 --> 00:39:44,410 always maintain the highest ethical standards, 622 00:39:44,410 --> 00:39:48,730 and to run a courtroom that's respectful of your time and tax dollars. 623 00:39:49,030 --> 00:39:52,490 I'm Melinda de LaRose asking for your vote for Judge paid. 624 00:39:52,490 --> 00:39:54,050 For by Friends of Melinda De LaRose. 625 00:39:54,540 --> 00:39:58,890 Is your business using analog strategies in a digital marketing world? 626 00:39:59,340 --> 00:40:00,010 If so, 627 00:40:00,010 --> 00:40:04,730 then contact Matthew or Rebecca Dowling at Coordinated 360 for a 628 00:40:04,730 --> 00:40:08,730 professional consultation where we bring in-depth knowledge and functional 629 00:40:08,730 --> 00:40:10,650 expertise with a holistic perspective. 630 00:40:11,490 --> 00:40:15,930 Coordinated 360 provides digital marketing, paid ad and media buying services, 631 00:40:16,070 --> 00:40:19,650 web design, social media management, video production, 632 00:40:19,650 --> 00:40:22,050 and more for businesses, organizations, 633 00:40:22,050 --> 00:40:25,690 and political campaigns with decades of experience. 634 00:40:25,690 --> 00:40:30,370 Matt and Becky at Coordinated 360 can help you craft your unique message 635 00:40:30,590 --> 00:40:35,410 and share it with the world. For a no risk media evaluation and recommendations, 636 00:40:35,640 --> 00:40:39,890 call 7 2 4 3 2 0 22 12, 637 00:40:40,180 --> 00:40:42,210 or visit us online at 638 00:40:42,830 --> 00:40:47,730 www.coordinatedthreesixty.com. Find us also on Facebook, 639 00:40:47,730 --> 00:40:49,050 Instagram, and Twitter, 640 00:40:49,420 --> 00:40:52,890 or email info coordinated three sixty.com. 641 00:40:55,690 --> 00:40:59,340 Thanks for tuning in to Commonalities Today. I'm your host, Matt Dowling. 642 00:40:59,340 --> 00:41:01,780 My guest is, uh, Mike Abel. 643 00:41:01,780 --> 00:41:06,740 Mike is a candidate for Fayette County District Attorney. Uh, and, 644 00:41:06,740 --> 00:41:10,340 you know, we, we've been talking, uh, about the drug drug epidemic. 645 00:41:10,340 --> 00:41:15,300 We talked about, uh, the, the Second Amendment and some relevant cases that, 646 00:41:15,300 --> 00:41:19,780 uh, that have been brought in the Fayette County area. Uh, Mike, 647 00:41:19,780 --> 00:41:23,300 we have just about two and a half minutes left if you wanna give out your 648 00:41:23,300 --> 00:41:26,300 contact information, or if someone wants a, 649 00:41:26,300 --> 00:41:30,740 a yard sign or wants to get in touch with you, uh, for whatever reason, uh, 650 00:41:30,740 --> 00:41:33,030 how can they go about doing that? Sure. 651 00:41:33,140 --> 00:41:35,740 The best way to contact me is through my Facebook page. 652 00:41:35,740 --> 00:41:37,740 It's Mike Abel for district Attorney, 653 00:41:37,740 --> 00:41:42,300 and Abel is spelled a u b e l e. 654 00:41:43,230 --> 00:41:47,700 Um, I also have my cell phone number and my email address on there. 655 00:41:48,290 --> 00:41:50,700 I take message, I take private messages, 656 00:41:50,700 --> 00:41:55,580 and I have been doing my best to answer every 657 00:41:55,860 --> 00:41:58,980 question that our constituents have. Um, 658 00:41:59,050 --> 00:42:03,100 I've responded to direct messages, I've responded to the comments on, 659 00:42:03,230 --> 00:42:07,100 on the post that I've made. I, and I run that page personally, 660 00:42:07,230 --> 00:42:12,230 so you are talking to me. Um, yes, 661 00:42:12,230 --> 00:42:15,710 we, we, uh, if you need a yard sign, if you, we have gun targets, 662 00:42:15,710 --> 00:42:17,430 we have t-shirts. If you need anything, 663 00:42:17,430 --> 00:42:20,590 you can contact me on Facebook and we'll do our best to get it to you. 664 00:42:22,370 --> 00:42:26,420 Well, Mike, we, we wanna thank you for being a guest here on the program today. 665 00:42:26,420 --> 00:42:29,740 I wanna make the public announcement I've been making on all the shows here 666 00:42:30,180 --> 00:42:34,740 recently. Uh, if you are a candidate running for any public office that's, uh, 667 00:42:35,270 --> 00:42:39,940 uh, from school board to, uh, to township supervisor, 668 00:42:39,940 --> 00:42:43,340 county commissioner, uh, today our guest is, 669 00:42:43,340 --> 00:42:45,940 is a candidate for district attorney. Um, 670 00:42:45,940 --> 00:42:50,380 you're welcome to come on commonalities, uh, regardless of party affiliation, 671 00:42:50,790 --> 00:42:54,620 uh, et cetera. And, uh, you know, what I want to do is, 672 00:42:54,620 --> 00:42:58,180 is just have as many people that are running for public office share their 673 00:42:58,180 --> 00:43:00,300 thoughts, feelings, uh, 674 00:43:00,360 --> 00:43:05,060 and and perspective with the voters so that when we head into those polls, 675 00:43:05,510 --> 00:43:08,500 uh, in the middle of May, or, uh, whether it be in, 676 00:43:08,500 --> 00:43:13,340 in the November general election, uh, that we know what a person stands for in, 677 00:43:13,340 --> 00:43:17,620 in educating you as, as voters, uh, is something that I think is, 678 00:43:17,620 --> 00:43:21,460 is extremely important. So, again, this is kind of the public announcement. 679 00:43:21,460 --> 00:43:24,500 If you're running for public office, uh, get in touch with me, 680 00:43:24,500 --> 00:43:28,860 visit Matthew D as in David, last name dowling.com, 681 00:43:28,960 --> 00:43:31,580 and you'll find all my contact information there, 682 00:43:31,580 --> 00:43:35,900 and we'll get you lined up to be on the show. My guest today has been Mike Abel, 683 00:43:35,900 --> 00:43:39,380 candidate for Fayette County District Attorney. Mike, we wanna, uh, 684 00:43:39,380 --> 00:43:43,100 thank you for being on the program today and, uh, thank you. Everyone. 685 00:43:43,100 --> 00:43:45,500 Else for me. This has been commonalities, 686 00:43:45,770 --> 00:43:49,980 a show where guests find common ground through uncommon conversations. 687 00:43:50,060 --> 00:43:52,740 Copyright 2022 coordinated 360, 688 00:43:52,920 --> 00:43:56,660 all public rebroadcast should be done with prior written approval from Matthew 689 00:43:56,660 --> 00:44:01,580 Dowling. All requests should be sent to info@coordinatedthreesixty.com. 690 00:44:01,580 --> 00:44:03,980 Thank you for listening to commonalities.
02Apr, 2023
