Unbelievable that this man takes it upon himself to keep a suicide note written by a son to his Mother. It is time for him to be removed from his position which seems to impower him to do what ever he wants with no regard for the rights of others.
The dead can not speak and this so called Coroner had no right to cause this Mother grief in not giving her the letter her son wrote to her so she could read his last words which were intended for her. Shame on him and all those in office who supported him which allows him to get away with it.

19401, agreed. He needs to go.

Doesn't things like that become evidences, though??? Maybe was something in it. You only know what is written & not all the facts to the story. I mean that's why the case was dismissed.

Teresa, that is why we have photocopy machines. IF the note had value as evidence, he could have made a copy, kept it and gave the original back to the mother.
There is NO EXCUSE for what Hoffman did to that poor woman and her family. My older brother committed suicide. I watched my mother cry for 14 years until God took her home. The anguish and grief a parent experiences at the death of a child is boundless. To create more heartache by withholding her son's last words is nothing less than cruel!!! I hope KARMA kicks Mr. Hoffman in the shorts one day soon. Sounds like the man needs a good spiritual lesson.

Kjb .. Yeah that is true. And I know how pain is my kids uncle died like 8 years ago in a car accident so I know the pain of seeing a mother loss of a child all to well.

I agree with the comments. That coroner is arrogant. Government tends towards arrogance. That coroner needs to go.

In the court of public opinion his behavior is judged as unethical and immoral and heartless. You are so right Tom, this public SERVANT is arrogant and it's time to lower his ears a couple notches. I am so damn weary of arrogance these days, it's permeated every nook and cranny of government, and now this too.

This same thing happened to me and my daughter- in -law in July of 2008. I do not know if the coroner was the same but the story is the same. My son took his life and we received his personal belongings in sealed bags but the 2 small notes written on post-it notes were withheld . Weeks after he was buried, and many phone calls to the coroner's office, we were able to pick up a "photo copy" of these 2 notes from my son. The originals were never returned. Is this procedure for the Coroner's duties? What is the reason for keeping my loved one's last words to us expecially after determining that there was no foul play concerning his suicide?

It sounds like the judge was just as arrogant as the coroner. It disgusts me to people in power act like they have their own set of rules. Karma is a funny thing Mr. Hofman. I hope the Feldman family are there to watch it bite you in the *ss someday.

S. Owad - I'm so sorry for your loss.

This is the same coroner who covered up the medical examiner driving county vehicles who had DUI's and no Insurance when she hit three cars. After preassure he caved in and fired her

there are too many people who think they are God's, what good is keeping those notes, makes no sense to me, give them back to the greiving . makes you wonder who is protecting who..

No surprise here - this is what happens when you elect democrats. The single issue that defines democrats is bigger government, because they know best. Liberal democrats ooze compassion - until reality hits.

The note was addtress to his mother. Left on her table in her home. No one had the right to STEAL what is legally hers. I am sure the coroner and the Judge have attended the same court house functions over the years and know each other. I am sure me Hofman was instructed Before the hearing to return the note by the judge. Since Mr Hofman told Mrs Felman he would 'never return' it to her when she asked for it. I remember being in a District Court and HEARD .. a now retired District Justice and the lawyer for a roofer making a deal to what the outcome of the hearing would be BEFORE the hearing began. Power is not always a good thing. Since all government officials are immuned to lawsuits the other party involved lost $5,000.00 of their hard earned money. It is a shame how SOME elected officials have no consciences. I do believe in Karma though... What goes around will come around one day when you least expect it and whack you in the face... I do feel badly for Mrs Feldman. She shouldn't had to pay a lawyer and go to court to get back what Mr Hofman had not business taking. I oftend wonder about the people who have to live with this abusers. Absuers of their power.

Liberal Progressives are taking over the country... as we all can see. King Obama is now more brazen in his 2nd term . The Nanny State is here to stay.
The Republicans are cowards . We need a 3rd party quickly before it's too late.

Personal integrity does not have a political affiliation. INTEGRITY is something each of us must choose to guide our behavior and how we affect those around us. Democrat or Republican, if Mr. Hofman is abusing his position of power, he should be removed from office!

agreed BUT for the most part Progressives push their liberal values on the masses with no regard for integrity.
not all libs are lacking morals but it's pretty obvious that their agenda is to take from those who produce and give to those who don't .. a clear lack of integrity

Sorry, KJG. I agree Republicans can be bad. But Mr. Hoffman's attitude is the life-blood of liberal democrats. He wears this label well. Who gives a crap? I do! Liberal democrats are incapable of integrity, because the theories and assumptions underneath run counter to the inherent rights recognized in the constitution (note I didn't say granted by the constitution) which is why our founding fathers tried to limit government in favor of personal responsibility. Government IS arrogance by nature.

Tim Lewis, I'm a Democrat and a proud one, but DO NOT lump me in the same mold as Mr. Hoffman and his attitude. There are many Dems who won't agree with Mr. Hoffman actions. And there are MANY liberal Democrats who have a hell of a lot of integrity. I am one of them!!! My point is, if you hold a political office, you must be held accountable for what you do whether you are Republicans or Democrats. And again, this story is not about politics, it's about a man who is basically a douche for what he did to that poor woman and her family. When she should have been allowed to grieve in peace for her son, she was forced to hirer a lawyer retrieve property that belonged to her. Horrible horrible man!
Those inherent rights you speak of belong to the people, by the people, for the people. Not just to Republicans! I could say more about my opinions and thoughts about Republicans in office today, but I won't. It has no place here.

Sorry, I agree with you that this was horrible, and that all politicians need to be accountable, and even that inherent rights are, by nature, inherent and apply to all - but this is as political as anything else. What Obama has done, beginning with "healthcare Reform" on to guns, comes from the same arrogant, shut-up-because-we-know-best attitude. What is worse than Mr. Hoffman, who is elected and will face the voters with his democrat accomplices, is the lifetime bureaucrat who has no accountability. Get ready for thousands of Mr. Hoffmans making Your healthcare decisions, determining whether you are worthy enough to own a gun, make "too much" money and countless other decisions.

Better to have dems than dumb pubs
Republican=stupid

I love when Liberals get their panties all in a knot.

If you can't see the direct correlation between this guys everyday decision making and his left wing politics then you need to up your meds.

OMG, how insane to blame EVERYTHING on one entire political party.
As if Republicans are so freaking perfect! Mr. Hofman obviously has some serious control issues and probably a personality disorder to do what he did to Lisa Feldman and her family. What he did has absolutely nothing to do with being a Democrat. The man is obviously a low form of fungus. But like I said earlier, Karma is a huge "B" and one day Mr. Hofman will know just how the Feldman family felt. Haven't any of you ever lost a loved one? Why don't you crazy Teabaggers take your Democrat bashing and post on Hofman's Facebook page. Take your fight to the front lines and tell your officials how you feel. It's easy and oh, so SAFE to post on a blog picking little fights just to get your kicks and giggles. Search on Facebook for Walter-Hofman-MD-Montco-Coroner, You can boohoo to him and tell him why you think Democrats are the equivalent to Godzilla, ready to reap destruction on your little Republican world. Who knows, maybe you'll actually make an impact...

The amount of pain this man inflicted on my mother and my family is despicable. Power hungry, corrupt piece of trash. That about sums it up. Evan (Clauson, misspelled in this article) is my brother and I thank all of you for taking the time to share your opinions and stand up for my family.

The ruling is technically appropriate, so perhaps we need legislation to force coroners and prosecutors to release all evidence following a not-guilty verdict or suicide. Clearly, this malcontent was irritated by Ms. Feldman's request and held the note out of spite. The note had no value to the government once he had submitted his suicide judgement as an expert.

IJC,
my condolences to you and your family. Being a suicide survivor, I know how you feel. At a time when you should have been allowed to grieve in peace, you were instead given more misery. I hope the note your brother left gave you some closure. I sincerely wish things had turned out differently for him and for you. Given the opportunity, I could have enlightened him on what suicide really is and what it does to a family. I'm so sorry.
I will say a prayer for your brother.

"IJC, my condolences to you and your family

KJB, and 19401 thank you both, sincerely.

First, the article doesn't say she did not get to read the letter, only that she did not gain possession of it. Can we say, Chain of evidence? Second, how sad is it that she takes her anger and guilt out on somebody not responsible for her son? Why litigate instead of heal?

No comments about Judge Buckwalter? The same guy who gave Fumo a short sentence a few years back. Guess he's not on the people's side.

It was her letter Hofman took and told her he would NEVER return it until a Judge suggest he do so. You are not a very compassionate person to assume she diodn't try to help her son. Who are you related to that is in politics?

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