Yoder Wants Written Arguments

McKean County Judge John Yoder wants attorneys to submit written arguments by August 14 before he determines whether to throw out some evidence against a railroad engineer whose train derailed and polluted part of Sinnemahoning-Portage Creek. The attorney for 46-year-old Michael Seifert of West Seneca, N.Y., says investigators illegally obtained his employment records from Norfolk Southern offices. He also says state investigators obtained private medical information about Seifert without a search warrant or his permission. Prosecutors say Seifert was under the influence of drugs and might have fallen asleep as the train sped down a steep grade in June 2006 near Gardeau. About 42,000 gallons of sodium hydroxide spilled into the stream, killing thousands of fish.