Although she did not show up for her nonjury trial Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court, a Pottsville woman still had the charge against her dismissed when the prosecution witness also did not appear.
Marcell M. Kopinetz, 32, had been charged with criminal mischief and was scheduled to go on trial at 10 a.m. before Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin.
However, prosecutors did not have the main witness available and, at the request of Assistant Public Defender Andrea L. Thompson, Kopinetz's lawyer, Dolbin dismissed the charge.
While Kopinetz also was not in court, a defendant does not have to attend his or her trial, while prosecutors do have to produce evidence to prove their case.
Pottsville police had charged Kopinetz with damaging property on March 12, 2011, in the city.
In another Wednesday case, a Pottsville man scheduled to go on trial for three crimes instead pleaded guilty to only one of them.
Alfred R. Noll, 56, pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, with prosecutors dropping charges of indecent assault and harassment.
Dolbin, who also had been scheduled to preside over Noll's nonjury trial, instead sentenced him to pay costs and a $100 fine.
Pottsville police had charged Noll with being disorderly on April 8, 2011, in the city.
The alleged victim of Noll's offenses did not appear for the trial. Assistant District Attorney Leo Breznik said personal reasons prevented her from being in court on Wednesday.
Also on Wednesday in the county court, a Schuylkill Haven man admitted that he violated a protection from abuse order.
Adam Gamrak Jr., 30, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom. Judge James P. Goodman sentenced him to time served in prison and pay costs and a $300 fine, and ordered him to have no contact with the victim.
Schuylkill Haven borough police had charged Gamrak with violating the PFA order on Jan. 13 in the borough. Judge Charles M. Miller had entered the order on Aug. 24, 2011.
