The killing of a Pennsylvania liquor enforcement officer sparks outrage against the controversial district judge

The killing of a liquor control officer in western Pennsylvania has sparked outrage after it was revealed that the suspect was released last year by an embattled district judge on a violent crime charge.

Now some are calling for the district judge to be removed from his position in Pittsburgh, including a state senator who wants the state House of Representatives to impeach the judge.

On Monday, Allegheny County police charged 25-year-old Anthony Quesen with the murder of Benjamin Brallier, a 44-year-old officer who left behind a wife and two daughters.

A GoFundMe created for Brallier's family had raised nearly $58,000 as of Wednesday afternoon.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry released a statement regarding Brallier's death.

“Our officers put their lives on the line every day in the hope that they can return home safely to their families,” she said. “Tragically, Officer Brallier was killed while on a nature trail. Our condolences go out to Officer Brallier’s family and colleagues.”

Quesen had listed Baltimore as his hometown, but Allegheny police said he was homeless and living in the Pittsburgh area.

Police said Brallier was jogging along Montour Trail in Moon Township around 4 p.m. Monday when he was stabbed in the back, upper chest and hand, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported.

According to police, Quesen was caught walking a short distance away, covered in blood and with cuts on his hands. He is being held without bail in the Allegheny County Jail until his Nov. 1 preliminary hearing, according to online court documents.

Pittsburgh District Judge Xander Orenstein presided over a case in June 2023 in which Quesen was charged with an assault and robbery at Point State Park. He allegedly argued with a man on the phone and the victim sprained his knee, the Tribune-Review said.

Quesen allegedly jumped into the Allegheny River to escape police.

The judge, who spoke out against cash bail during the election campaign, released Quesen on non-monetary or cash bail on the recommendation of an investigative authority, the news agency reported.

That meant Quesen didn't have to post bail to be released if he promised to appear at future court hearings.

However, Quesen did not show up for a hearing and remained at large until police arrested him on Monday for the fatal stabbing.

Orenstein is no stranger to controversy either.

In September 2023, federal drug agents arrested Yan Carlos Pichardo Cepeda of New York City at a bus station in Pittsburgh for allegedly carrying 450,000 doses of fentanyl. Orenstein allowed Cepeda to be released on cash bail, even though Cepeda had no ties to Pittsburgh.

Cepeda then disappeared back to New York City, and the Allegheny County sheriff said he spent $30,000 sending investigators there to look for him.

Police arrested Cepeda in New York City in April 2024 and brought him back to Pittsburgh. The attorney general's office admitted that the fentanyl tests were wrong, but he still faces cocaine smuggling charges.

Orenstein also released Hermas Craddock in April 2024 after leading state police on a high-speed chase in which he also rammed two patrol cars, KDKA-TV reported.

Craddock was given a no-cash bond “despite a lengthy criminal record,” KDKA said, and fled to Florida, where he was eventually arrested.

According to KDKA, Orenstein, who has declined to speak to the media, has been removed from directing the prosecution, but Orenstein continues to work as a district judge on other cases.

Allegheny County Councilman Sam DeMarco was one of the first officials to call for Orenstein's resignation or removal after Brallier's killing.

“This is not a random error. It's a pattern. Orenstein has released other dangerous suspects without bail in the past. This time it took the life of a police officer,” said DeMarco, who is also chairman of the Allegheny County Republican Committee. “Orenstein must either be pressured to resign or the state legislature must remove Orenstein through impeachment.”

Republican Sen. Devlin Robinson wants to make that last option a reality, he told the Tribune-Review on Wednesday, but the process must begin in the state House of Representatives.

“This is a dereliction of duty — either step down and let someone else take that oath — or we take the next step,” said Robinson, who represents parts of Pittsburgh, including Moon, where Brallier was killed.