Erie woman sentenced for contempt after arson conviction

Sept. 24--ERIE, Pa. -- Julia Calipo will await sentencing for arson and other charges in the Erie County Prison, a judge said Friday.

She also received a six-month prison sentence for contempt after Judge Daniel Brabender said she violated his order that she not speak to the news media during her trial.

A jury on Wednesday convicted Calipo of charges including arson, insurance fraud and recklessly endangering in the February 2015 fire that destroyed her east Erie house.

But Calipo had failed to show up in court Wednesday. First Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Hirz told Brabender that Calipo had called 911 under the name "Julia Dewart" and was not present because she had been admitted to Saint Vincent Hospital.

Brabender said Calipo was absent without cause and allowed the trial to continue without her, over the objection of her court-appointed lawyer, Michael Harmon.

When Calipo was convicted, Brabender issued a bench warrant for her arrest and revoked her bond.

At a hearing Friday, Brabender declined to reinstate Calipo's bond. Calipo appeared in a prison jumpsuit and without a lawyer.

Calipo said she had tried to notify Harmon that she could not be in court Wednesday and was at Saint Vincent for health problems.

"You voluntarily put yourself there," Brabender said. "I believe it was a big ruse."

He also said Calipo had spoken with a reporter before her verdict was announced, in violation of his order, issued Tuesday, that she not speak with the news media during the trial.

"I warned you specifically that you would receive six months in jail," Brabender said. He said he had informally advised her against speaking to the news media during the trial before he formally ordered her not to do so.

"Why am I getting slammed so hard with this?" Calipo asked.

Calipo also received notice she will be sentenced Nov. 3.

Madeleine O'Neill can be reached at 870-1728 or by email. Follow her on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNoneill.

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