Did Luzerne County Judge Cross The Line When He Dined With Defense Lawyer?

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County....   Veteran lawyer Tom Marsilio of Mountain Top says Judge Joseph Sklarosky Junior did nothing wrong when he had dinner with Defense Attorney Barry Dyller. Dyller represents Wilkes-Barre Township Fire Chief John Yuknavich in his theft trial. Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Mike Melnick made a motion to have Sklarosky recuse himself from the trial. Sklarosky denied the motion saying that 12 other people were at the dinner and the case was not discussed. Marsilio told Eyewitness News, "Just because one becomes a Judge does not mean you don't have a social life and can't have dinner with any lawyers. I must respectfully disagree with my friend Mike Melnick and say his concerns about a conflict here are not justified." Sources close to the case tell the I-Team that Judge Sklaroksy had dinner with 6 Luzerne County Judges and their spouses. Dyller is married to Judge Lisa Gelb. Dyller did not want to comment on the motion to recuse saying the case is still open and pending appeal. He did say the court proceedings speak for themselves. We spoke with Judge Sklarosky in his chambers after the trial was halted and said he too did not want to comment pending the future trial and appeal.Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis also did not want to comment citing the pending appeal.