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Crash closes Wilkes-Barre Boulevard

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No permit, no opening Saturday for arena’s Club Pub

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A man charged with the fatal stabbing of a local homeless man was granted funds Friday to retain a mental health expert, a measure his attorney says could give rise to a self-defense theory.</p><p>Daniel Elias Holtslander, 38, of Wilkes-Barre, was <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/563186/wilkes-barre-man-charged-in-stabbing-death-of-kurt-swan" target="_blank">charged July 7 with stabbing death of a 49-year-old Kurt Swan</a>. Holtslander told investigators he was sleeping in his truck when Swan climbed into the vehicle and approached him. He told police he &#8220;lashed out&#8221; and stabbed Swan with a pair of knives, not knowing it was him, according to the affidavit.</p><p>Swan&#8217;s body was <a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/558971/body-found-near-k-mart-shopping-plaza-in-edwardsville" target="_blank">found June 25 in a wooded area behind the Kmart store at Mark Plaza in Edwardsville</a>.</p><p>Luzerne County Judge Lesa S. Gelb granted a pair of motions Friday allowing Holtslander&#8217;s attorney, John B. Pike, to retain a mental health expert and a private investigator in preparation of their trial defense.</p><p>Pike noted Holtslander&#8217;s psychological history &#8220;may give rise to an inability to perceive events and/or enhance his need for safety and preservation thereby giving rise to a theory of self-defense.&#8221; Holtslander has a psychological diagnosis, Pike wrote in the motion.</p><p>Allentown-based Dr. Frank Dattilio quoted a flat-rate of $3,000 for his services, Pike wrote.</p><p>A criminal investigator was also approved for hire in the matter for $1,500.</p><p>&#8220;There are numerous potential witnesses revealed to undersigned counsel by the defendant who &#8230; have relevant information concerning the important background facts in this case, and who are critical to the full effect of the defense in this case,&#8221; Pike wrote.</p><p>Holtslander remains jailed without bail.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Daniel Elias Holtslander, 38, of Wilkes-Barre is taken into custody in July for the fatal stabbing of 49-year-old Kurt Swan. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_web1_image201678238136-2.jpeg</photo0><caption0>Daniel Elias Holtslander, 38, of Wilkes-Barre is taken into custody in July for the fatal stabbing of 49-year-old Kurt Swan. </caption0><photoCredit0>Fred Adams | Times Leader file </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Joe Dolinsky</p><p>jdolinsky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Joe Dolinsky at 570-991-6110 or on Twitter @JoeDolinskyTL</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Suspect in homeless man’s fatal stabbing gets funding for mental health expert