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Castor asks state to handle Reid cases

Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr. has asked the State Attorney General to take over the investigation of Andy Reid's sons in separate criminal cases because of Castor's connection to the defense.

Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr. has asked the State Attorney General to take over the investigation of Andy Reid's sons in separate criminal cases because of Castor's connection to the defense.

Castor notified Attorney General Tom Corbett in writing yesterday that his office had a conflict of interest in the cases of Britt Reid, who was charged with drug and firearm counts after a Jan. 30 incident, and Garrett Reid, who admitted using heroin before a traffic accident that same day.

Garrett Reid has not been charged. Castor's letter included a draft of possible charges against Garrett Reid.

Castor had previously stated that he was recusing himself personally because the treasurer for his upcoming campaign for county commissioner, Ross Weiss, is a lawyer at the Cozen O'Connor law firm, which represents the brothers.

Castor decided to turn the case over to the state following questions by The Inquirer about whether his conflict should also exclude his subordinates from the case.

In addition, though not addressed in his letter, Castor has had discussions with Cozen O'Connor about joining the firm after leaving the district attorney job later this year.

"We've talked about it and I would certainly be interested in having him work at our law firm," said Patrick J. O'Connor, Cozen's president and CEO.

Neither Castor nor first assistant district attorney, Risa Vetri Ferman, who has been handling the Reid investigations, would comment today.

On Jan. 30, Britt Reid allegedly pointed a gun at another driver, identified as Larry Johnson, 36, of Delaware County, after the two exchanged words while stopped at a red light on Matson Ford Road in West Conshohocken, police said.

Britt Reid, 21, was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, drug possession, making terroristic threats, making a false report to law enforcement authorities, and other related charges. He was released after posting 10 percent of $100,000 bail, pending a preliminary hearing Feb. 16.

Later on Jan. 30, Garrett Reid, 23, ran a red light in Plymouth Township, causing an accident that injured another driver, police said. He "acknowledged using heroin" that day, according to a search-warrant affidavit. White powder, syringes and other drug paraphernalia - including a set of scales - were found in Reid's pockets or inside his vehicle.

Corbett's spokesman, Kevin Harley, did not return calls seeking comment.