Prosecutors this week dropped an involuntary manslaughter case against a 911 dispatcher in Pennsylvania who had been accused of failing to send an ambulance to the rural home of a woman who was found dead a day later of internal bleeding.
Greene County District Attorney Brianna Vanata stated that she decided to end the case against the dispatcher after reviewing an investigator's report that concluded there was no criminal culpability in the July 2020 death of 54-year-old Diania Kronk. Vanata criticized the decision to pursue charges two years after Kronk's death, attributing it to a mistake by the former district attorney.
The defense lawyer for the dispatcher, Timothy Ross, expressed relief that the charges had been dropped, describing his client as an upstanding employee who had consistently maintained his innocence. Ross mentioned that the ordeal had been stressful for the dispatcher, who is now focused on rebuilding his reputation in the community.
Investigators had previously stated that the dispatcher was hesitant to dispatch help without more assurances that Kronk would go to the hospital. Vanata based her decision on a memo by Greene County Regional Police Chief Zachary Sams, which suggested that the dispatcher may not have been properly trained and that his actions did not warrant criminal charges.
On a recording, the dispatcher was heard questioning Kronk's daughter about her mother's condition and whether she was willing to go to the hospital. Despite assurances from the daughter, Kronk was found dead the next day at her home. An autopsy later revealed that she had died from internal bleeding.
Former District Attorney Russo criticized Vanata's decision to drop the case, calling it a political move. However, Vanata defended her decision, stating that she had spent many hours reviewing the evidence before making the call.
The judge withdrew the charges on Monday at Vanata's request, and the trial that was scheduled for next week was canceled. Vanata mentioned that she had offered a plea bargain to the dispatcher, which he declined.
The dispatcher, who is no longer employed as a dispatcher, now works in maintenance for Greene County. Vanata expressed sympathy for both the dispatcher and Kronk's family, acknowledging the ordeal they had been through over the past four years.
