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Kindergarten graduation held at St. Jude School

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Their view: Universities should embrace differing views

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; In the wake of a high-profile trial that ended in a hung jury last month, county prosecutors Friday announced they will retry Melissa Ann Scholl in September on attempted homicide charges.</p><p>The mistrial came after a jury could not agree on whether the 33-year-old Wilkes-Barre Township mother tried to asphyxiate herself and her two kids with exhaust fumes in December 2015.</p><p>A bystander came upon the parked car at the Williams Bus Line on Blackman Street and called 911 after he saw a garden hose strung from the tailpipe to a window and Scholl&#8217;s children in the backseat.</p><p>Prosecutors had argued it was an attempt to snuff out the lives of the girl and boy, then ages 5 and 7, while the defense claimed the kids were never in danger and Scholl was merely crying out for help.</p><p>At a hearing Friday in Luzerne County Court, prosecutors revealed they would again take the case to trial on Sept. 11.</p><p>The jury selection process could come with added scrutiny this time around after a juror in last month&#8217;s trial appeared to post on social media about the proceedings, prosecutors said Friday. Judge David W. Lupas instructed the parties to further explore the issue and get back to him.</p><p>&#8220;We want to ensure the system is protected and that no one is violating court orders while they are serving on jury duty,&#8221; Lupas said, noting it appears some of the posts were made before the juror was selected.</p><p>A judge typically instructs the jury to refrain from discussing the case with others or on social media during trial. A violation could result in a contempt of court charge. It was unclear whether the charge would be pursued in this case.</p><p>A gag order remains in place that prohibits the parties from discussing the case publicly.</p><p>Scholl did not address the court.</p><p>After the hearing, she was returned to the Luzerne County Correctional Facility, where she has been jailed since her arrest in December 2015.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Prosecutors announced Friday that Melissa Ann Scholl, center, will be retried on attempted homicide charges in September. Her last trial in June ended in a mistrial. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_SchollStandalone-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Prosecutors announced Friday that Melissa Ann Scholl, center, will be retried on attempted homicide charges in September. Her last trial in June ended in a mistrial. </caption0><photoCredit0>Sean McKeag | Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Joe Dolinsky</p><p>jdolinsky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Prosecutors will retry Melissa Scholl on attempted homicide charges