Ex-Hazleton cop charged in Kline Twp. explosion case asks to be put under house arrest until trial in September

Hyun Soo Lee, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·2 min read

POTTSVILLE — A former Hazleton police officer charged with setting off an explosive device outside the Kline Twp. home of his estranged wife’s boyfriend is asking to be placed under house arrest, with a GPS monitor, until his trial begins in September.

Ladell E. Hannon, 33, who is now jailed in Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $1 million bail, appeared for a bail hearing Friday in county court before President Judge Jacqueline L. Russell.

His attorney, Mark A. Hinrichs, had requested the defendant be placed under house arrest and monitored until his new trial, which had been scheduled for September after the judge’s declaration of a mistrial March 4, the first day of Hannon’s trial.

Hannon was being tried on attempted criminal homicide and other charges stemming from the detonation of an explosive outside the home of Harrison Jordan at 3 Center St., Kelayres., on Dec. 21, 2021.

Hannon, who took the stand Friday, said that if he were released he would live with his mother, Victoria Hannon, at her home at 9 Flagstone Lane, East Stroudsburg.

The defendant said that, if ordered to do so, he would wear a GPS-monitored device at all times and show up to all required court proceedings.

While she did not make a final decision, the judge, at Hinrichs’ request, said that she would continue the hearing at a later date, likely after the next trial term, which runs June 3 to 14.

Russell said she would not change Hannon’s bail conditions without first hearing testimony from his mother.

Jordan, who also testified Friday, said that he would not agree with any reduction to the bail, as the defendant poses a danger to him and to others.

“I’m still in fear of the defendant,” said Jordan, who also referenced other instances in which Hannon assaulted him and “got in my face.”

Jordan said that the defendant showed a lack of disregard for the safety of the Kline Twp. neighborhood when he allegedly set off the bomb.

“It injured my neighbor, it destroyed the neighborhood, made multiple buildings uninhabitable,” Jordan said. “I would be in fear for my life if he was granted house arrest.”

He said the defense’s request to have Hannon put under house arrest, with a GPS monitor, would not be an adequate safety measure.

“It’s very easy to just leave a home and drive before the police can find you,” he said. “Even if he does not have GPS, it is not far from where his mother lives to where I live.”

Jordan said he recently bought a home at 460 South St., Freeland, where he lives with Hannon’s estranged wife and her children.

First Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Stine, who represents the prosecution, asked the judge to consider evidence in favor of his case that had previously been put on record, including testimony about the damage to the homes.

“This is a catastrophic event,” he said.