Hearing Delayed for Man Who Made Facebook Threats

The 18-year-old who allegedly made threats against members of the Bethlehem Area School Board and administrators in May will spend another 30 days in Northampton County Prison awaiting a preliminary hearing, after the matter was continued on Tuesday.

In what was apparently a paperwork error on the part of the prosecution, no witnesses were notified of the preliminary hearing date or subpoenaed to appear, making it impossible for Assistant District Attorney Robert Eyer, to proceed.

Judge Roy Manwaring said a continuance was the best option given the circumstances of the case and the defendant.

Justin Rey Ramirez was charged on May 31 with 12 counts of making terroristic threats, one charge for each of the nine BASD school board members and three administrators, after .

He has since remained in prison, unable to make bail, set at a straight $200,000 by arraigning .

In addition, the charges put Ramirez in violation of his probation agreement stemming from an incident in early October 2010, in which he was charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, recklessly endangering another person, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, fleeing or attempting to elude arrest, and an accident involving damage to an attended vehicle or property. Court records indicate in that incident, Ramirez spent just over two months in county prison, unable to make the bail until it was later reduced substantially.

Due to the charges resulting in a probation violation, Manwaring said that if he were to dismiss the case, the charges would be refiled by the District Attorney's office within 24 hours, and the charges of the probation violation would not be dropped in time for Ramirez to see even a day out of prison.

In addition, the case would have to start over entirely, putting Ramirez through the entire process again.

The likelihood, he added, of the bail being reduced enough in a second arraignment for Ramirez to be able to pay it was remote.

“I feel compelled to continue this, but I do so reluctantly,” Manwaring concluded.

The announcement of the decision drew audible gasps of disappointment from Ramirez's mother and two sisters, who attended in his support.

The preliminary hearing is expected to be rescheduled within 30 days.

Manwaring said the delay will not count against the defendant, who, represented by public defender Vanessa Marie Nenni, the court noted, was ready to proceed.