afishinado
Moderator
Staff member
I copied this post from another FF website - FYI:
Trial on the matter was held back in June. Based on the record established at trial, the parties recently filed proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law for the judge to consider.
Last Wednesday (12/13), the judge heard oral argument from the parties in a 2 1/2 hour session in Huntingdon County Court. I was there. The judge had clearly done his homework, and asked numerous insightful questions of the parties. Definitely what is known as a "hot bench."
Each side presented compelling arguments. I've learned from experience that you can rarely tell which way a judge is leaning simply from listening to oral argument. Be that as it may, I believe that the Commonwealth made a solid case, both factually and legally. It probably didn't help the Beaver/Espy side that their two counsel openly disagreed in court on a couple of issues, but it may not have hurt.
No none -- I repeat, no one-- has any inside track at this point to be able to say whether things look good or bad for one side or another. It's fully in the judge's hands now, and he wasn't showing any of his cards last week.
I would expect that the judge will issue a decision within the next two months.
As for the confusion about fly shops around Spruce Creek: Allan Bright is the owner of Spruce Creek Outfitters, and is a party to the court action against Beaver. Eric Stroup is a former employee of Bright, but left to start Spruce Creek Fly Co., a few miles up the road from Bright's shop in the middle of town. The last time I talked with Stroup (about two years ago?), he was an ardent opponent of Beaver. For whatever reason, times have changed, and it is my understanding that he guides for Beaver's clients.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am an employee of one of the Commonwealth agencies that filed the complaint, and have done some work on the case.
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Buzzard/Craig
Trial on the matter was held back in June. Based on the record established at trial, the parties recently filed proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law for the judge to consider.
Last Wednesday (12/13), the judge heard oral argument from the parties in a 2 1/2 hour session in Huntingdon County Court. I was there. The judge had clearly done his homework, and asked numerous insightful questions of the parties. Definitely what is known as a "hot bench."
Each side presented compelling arguments. I've learned from experience that you can rarely tell which way a judge is leaning simply from listening to oral argument. Be that as it may, I believe that the Commonwealth made a solid case, both factually and legally. It probably didn't help the Beaver/Espy side that their two counsel openly disagreed in court on a couple of issues, but it may not have hurt.
No none -- I repeat, no one-- has any inside track at this point to be able to say whether things look good or bad for one side or another. It's fully in the judge's hands now, and he wasn't showing any of his cards last week.
I would expect that the judge will issue a decision within the next two months.
As for the confusion about fly shops around Spruce Creek: Allan Bright is the owner of Spruce Creek Outfitters, and is a party to the court action against Beaver. Eric Stroup is a former employee of Bright, but left to start Spruce Creek Fly Co., a few miles up the road from Bright's shop in the middle of town. The last time I talked with Stroup (about two years ago?), he was an ardent opponent of Beaver. For whatever reason, times have changed, and it is my understanding that he guides for Beaver's clients.
In the interest of full disclosure, I am an employee of one of the Commonwealth agencies that filed the complaint, and have done some work on the case.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Buzzard/Craig