Smart Talk: Altoona child sex abuse; How should PA choose judges?

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday, March 4, 2016:

Pennsylvanians were shocked, saddened and disgusted this week when Attorney General Kathleen Kane announced that an investigative Grand Jury had found that more than 50 Catholic priests and other religious leaders had sexually abused children in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese.  Two Bishops were accused of covering up the abuse that allegedly occurred over a 40-year period.  The investigation indicated both boys and girls were victims.

Kane said no one has been criminally charged in part due to the statute of limitations.  In fact, the Grand Jury recommended that Pennsylvania’s statute-of-limitations for sex crimes be changed.

So how did this happen and what can be done to make sure it doesn’t happen again?

Appearing on Friday’s Smart Talk to address the case are Angela Liddle, President and CEO with the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance and Democratic State Representative Mark Rozzi of Berks County, an abuse survivor.

Sensing displeasure among Pennsylvanians following a controversial 2015 judicial election season, five former Pennsylvania governors and current Gov. Tom Wolf have formed a bipartisan group to make a renewed call for changes in how the state selects statewide appellate court judges.

The governors support a merit selection process over the current election of judges.

Joining us on the program to discuss the proposal are Lynn Marks, executive director of Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts, and Republican State Representative Bryan Cutler of Lancaster County, the House Majority Whip.