Prospect Cafe surveillance system seized
January 10
By Ed Lewis Leader Staff Writer 
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@TLEdLewis on Twitter
WILKES-BARRE – Authorities investigating the slashing of a woman’s face inside a Nanticoke tavern have seized the bar’s surveillance system, according to a search warrant affidavit.
District Judge Rick Cronauer authorized the search warrant filed by Nanticoke police and the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office late Friday afternoon, two days after a request was made to attorney Michael Yelen for the surveillance footage.
Yelen represents the Prospect Street Cafe and its owner, Paul Halliday.
Police Detective Capt. William Shultz said Monday the surveillance video of the assault early New Year’s Day was taken from Yelen’s law office on West Market Street, Wilkes-Barre. The video is in state police custody to be forensically analyzed.
Police said Jennifer Mieczkowski, 30, of Nanticoke, was assaulted by an unknown female with a box cutter inside the tavern at about 2 a.m. on Jan. 1. Mieczkowski suffered several severe slash wounds to her face and neck.
Mieczkowski said she went into the tavern with her friend, Ricky Wells, 30, of Mountain Top, to buy beer to take home. While she was talking to friends inside, a fight broke out and a woman slashed Mieczkowski numerous times in the face and neck, police said.
Mieczkowski said the slash on her neck was a half-inch away from the carotid artery. She underwent emergency surgery at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township, and will need further medical procedures on her face.
Shultz said police are actively investigating the vicious assault. The District Attorney’s Office is assisting the investigation along with the state police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement to determine if the tavern can be closed as a nuisance bar.
An estimated 20 people who were inside the tavern have been questioned by investigators.
Mieczkowski estimated there were 50 people present, and she criticized the patrons for not coming to her aid.
Wells, who Mieczkowski said did come to her aid, was dragged outside and beaten with a pool stick. He suffered a broken jaw, police said.
According to the search warrant affidavit:
A state police liquor enforcement officer conducted an inspection inside the tavern on Jan. 4 and observed interior cameras affixed at various locations.
Halliday told the enforcement officer the surveillance system was within a room in the kitchen area. After the fight on Jan. 1, Halliday allegedly told the enforcement officer he removed the (surveillance) system and gave it to his lawyer, Yelen.
The District Attorney’s Office contacted Yelen’s office on Jan. 4 requesting the surveillance equipment to have it examined by the state police computer crimes unit. two days after the request, police and the District Attorney’s Office obtained the search warrant for Yelen’s office after they did not receive a response, the search warrant affidavit says.
Yelen did not return a message for comment, and Halliday could not be reached at the tavern on Monday.
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