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Candidate’s PFA dismissed

Daniels claims vindication

HONESDALE (AP) — A judge dismissed a temporary protective order against a candidate for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor on Friday after his attorneys attacked the motivation and credibility of the candidate’s wife, who had testified he was verbally abusive and made threats.

Teddy Daniels claimed vindication after the ruling by President Judge Janine Edwards, telling reporters outside the Wayne County Courthouse, “Justice was served today. I just want to go home and see my son.”

Daniels, 47, is one of nine candidates seeking the GOP nomination in the state’s May 17 primary, running with the endorsement of a leading candidate for governor, Republican state Sen. Doug Mastriano.

Daniels’ wife, who had obtained a temporary protection-from-abuse order against Teddy Daniels last week, testified that Daniels was incensed because he believed her family was cooperating in an unflattering magazine story about him. He threatened to “put a bullet” in the head of one of the people he blamed, the woman testified. She said Daniels then told her: “And if I find out you’re in on it, you’re going down too.”

Daniels’ lawyers pointed out the woman had not previously reported the alleged threat, either to police or in her application for a protective order. In court, they suggested she only sought the protective order because Daniels had previously threatened to leave her.

Daniels himself did not testify and did not call any witnesses.

“Our case was proven by cross examination of a witness who lied,” Daniels’ lawyer, Jen Gilliland Vanasdale, told reporters. “Obviously the court believed that, or the court would not have dismissed and denied the protection from abuse.”

Neither Daniels’ wife nor her lawyer had any immediate comment after the court hearing. A phone message was left at the lawyer’s office.

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