A Fountain Hill police officer charged with drunken driving after
a crash seemed to indicate at his hearing Thursday that he will apply for a
first-time offender's program.
James Scoble, 35, of Allentown gave up his right to a preliminary
hearing Thursday before District Judge Joseph Barner. Scoble will face trial in
Northampton County court on charges of drunken driving and careless driving in
the crash Dec. 16 in Bethlehem Township.
During the brief hearing, Scoble's attorney, Gary Asteak, asked
Barner for a copy of an application for the first-time offender's program.
Scoble declined to comment Thursday.
Scoble remains on paid administrative leave at Fountain Hill,
police officials said.
The single-car crash happened in the 3900 block of Freemansburg
Avenue. Police said Scoble's car ran into a pole, knocking it down, before
hitting a concrete wall and becoming lodged on top of it.
According to the charges, Scoble had a blood-alcohol level of more
than 0.16 percent, twice the legal limit.
Scoble was involved in the August traffic stop last year that led
to drunken driving and domestic assault charges against former state Rep.
Joseph Brennan.
Scoble is the second Fountain Hill officer at the department to
recently come under scrutiny. A Fountain Hill police officer was fired this
month after authorities say he hit a handcuffed prisoner and lied about it.
Chief Ed Bachert said Grady Cunningham Jr., who had worked full
time for the department since 2010, hit the man June 4 in a cell and then
falsified reports about it. At the time of his termination, Cunningham declined
to comment on the allegations.