Scranton man headbutts door, falls to floor at arraignment

Scranton Edition // Scranton Edition News

October 28

Edward Lewis elewis@timesleader.com

PLAINS TWP. - Laflin police initially believed a Scranton man was armed when he allegedly torched a Ford van in front of a car dealership on Tuesday.

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John Walton refuses to get out of a Laflin police car at the district judges office.

AIMEE DILGER / The Times Leader

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Laflin Police Chief Joseph Flanagan claimed he heard gunshots as he pulled into Coccia Ford Lincoln Mercury during his pursuit of the van driven by John Walton.

Walton had taken a Coccia employee on an inspection drive after Walton complained that the van was having transmission problems. When the employee told Walton he didn't detect a problem, police allege Walton threatened the employee.

Walton kicked the employee out of the van, and returned to the Coccia dealership where he allegedly set the van on fire.

Flanagan pursued Walton to the dealership on East Main Street where he was led to believe Walton was armed with a 9mm handgun. Flanagan claimed he heard several gun shots in which it was ammunition inside the burning van that ignited, police said.

Walton was charged by Plains Township police on Wednesday with four counts of arson. He was charged by Laflin police with terroristic threats, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and reckless driving.

He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility for lack of $75,000 straight bail.

At his arraignment Wednesday morning, Walton walked into the courtroom at the office of District Judge Diana Malast. After the arraignment, Walton headbutted a door and fell to the floor, and had to be carried out.

Walton refused to get out of the cruiser for his arraignment Tuesday afternoon on the charges filed by Laflin police. Malast arraigned Walton inside the Plains Township Volunteer Ambulance garage.

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18 Reader Comments

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Bababooey said...

Show that door whos boss.

October 28, 2009 at 12:11 PM

H Flack said...

Kudos to Judge Malast ! She is an excellent district justice.

October 28, 2009 at 12:27 PM

I'm John Senchak, and I approve of this message said...

This guy is a idiot, if the guy bought the van and it had tramission problems , then he could have used the lemon laws to his advantage. But, no he had to use his low mentality to break the law and threaten people which only got himself locked up in the county jail. What a moron !!!

October 28, 2009 at 12:29 PM

Upper Askam said...

What bank financed this bananahead?

October 28, 2009 at 12:40 PM

Terri said...

Now Mr Walton is what I would call, "Stubborn as a mule." Talk about acting like a baby.

October 28, 2009 at 1:22 PM

Ziggy said...

I guess owning a Ford pushed him over the edge.

October 28, 2009 at 1:32 PM

DR.LOVE said...

WHAT A NUTCASE!

October 28, 2009 at 2:46 PM

bobbi jo carter said...

this guy is crazy

October 28, 2009 at 4:01 PM

J.W. said...

Certainly does not speak well for the Coccia Ford dealership.

October 28, 2009 at 4:02 PM

Mr. Jones said...

First of all, I'd be upset too if a 6 month old van is having transmission problems. Secondly, what qualifies a sales consultant to diagnose mechanical problems anyways. The guy was in the wrong no doubt but you have to wonder what tips a guy like that over the edge. Sounds like a guy who feels hes being ripped off.

October 28, 2009 at 4:02 PM

Chazz said...

Why couldn't they drag him out of the cruiser when he refused to get out? Don't they usually restrain uncooperative prisoners in a wheelchair?

October 28, 2009 at 4:12 PM

driver NON FORD said...

and to think my C O L COST OF LIVING WAS USED TO BAIL FORD OUT now thats a crime

October 28, 2009 at 4:52 PM

gary bahl said...

I own a ford ,and i will never buy a ford again

October 28, 2009 at 7:22 PM

Scott said...

The moder-day Waltons are a bit wilder than those from the 70's tv show. Good night, Elizabeth.