Hearing for ex-prosecutor in hit-and-run put on hold

The preliminary hearing for a former Delaware County assistant district attorney charged in a hit-and-run has been continued until another court proceeding determines if a judge from another county should be assigned to the case.

Officials have alleged that Michael J. Donohue, 31, after drinking with co-workers for four hours, struck and seriously injured a 14-year-old Haverford teen as he was driving home on Nov. 4 and then fled the scene.

Donohue has been charged with aggravated assault, accidents involving injury, failing to render aid, reckless driving and other related crimes.

The unidentified teen is home recovering from his injuries, according to police.

Magisterial District Judge Michael G. Cullen agreed today a request by Deputy Attorney General John Flannery to postpone the preliminary hearing until after the hearing on who should preside at the trial.

President Judge Joseph P. Cronin, Jr. will hear arguments on that motion on Dec. 20.

Donohue's attorney, William Davis, said the defense was ready to proceed with the case but would leave it to the court's discretion on the continuance. Donohue was present in court but had no comment.

Flannery also informed Cullen that Deputy Attorney General Joseph McGettigan, who was not in court, would be the lead prosecutor in the case. McGettigan also is a prosecutor in the the case against former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky and was at the preliminary hearing scheduled for Sandusksu at the same time in Bellefonte.

Sandusky "waived so, he's free now," said Cullen, dryly referencing the court hearing more than three hours away.

McGettigan "is not Superman," Flannery, joked after the hearing concluded. "He's good but, he is not that good."