Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Evidence will aid alibi, lawyer says

Police reportedly seek doctor's records

By CHRIS A. COUROGEN

The latest search by police involving a Lower Paxton Twp. woman could help prove she had nothing to do with the Elaine Pierson killing, according to the woman's attorney.

A warrant obtained by state police on Friday sought information for any appointment Rochelle Laudenslager had with a Hampden Twp. doctor on Dec. 27 -- the last day authorities say anyone had contact with Pierson.

George Mantangos, Laudenslager's Lemoyne attorney, said the doctor's appointment records could support claims his client made in two interviews and a written statement given to police before he represented her.

"The question of why they are doing it has to be left to the police," Mantangos said. "I would assume they are looking to corroborate a prior statement, to corroborate a time frame in her statements."

Mantangos said he believes such corroboration will clear Laudenslager so police can home in on the Perry County woman's killer.

"Chasing after Rochelle is not the right direction for them to be focused on," he said.

Pierson, 48, of Rye Twp., was reported missing Dec. 29. Friends found her body during a Jan. 6 search off Idle Road near Lambs Gap Road on the Perry County side of Blue Mountain.

State police refused to comment on the latest warrant. Sgt. Charles Ringer, commander of the Newport barracks, said no one has been identified as a suspect in Pierson's slaying.

"We are continuing to pursue several leads," he said.

Asked if police are making progress towards solving the homicide, Ringer replied, "Absolutely."

This is the seventh search warrant involving Laudenslager in Pierson's death. Like those used to search her home, her two cars and her mother's Gratz home, the documents stating the probable cause for the search have been sealed by the courts.

Those statements are likely to remain sealed until an arrest is made, Cumberland County District Attorney Dave Freed said.

Police have also obtained warrants to search the cell phone records of Antonio M. Mercede II, 46, of Hampden Twp. As with Laudenslager, the documents stating the probable cause for the search are sealed.

Mercede has not wanted to comment about the case, but his sister, Marianne Cowden, has said her brother was the person believed to have spoken to Pierson in her last known conversation the night of Dec. 27.

Mercede returned to Pennsylvania last year after cancer surgery in North Carolina and reconnected with Pierson, who played on a softball team that Mercede coached before he moved south, Cowden said.

Guns and ammunition that were in the possession of the Cumberland County Sheriff's office have also been the subject of a warrant believed to be in relation to the case.

CHRIS A. COUROGEN: 255-8112 or ccourogen@patriot-news.com

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