Steven Zappala
Encyclopedia
Stephen A. Zappala Jr. is the District Attorney
of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. He has held this position since 1998, taking over for long serving Robert Colville
.
, former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice, and grandson of Frank J. Zappala, now-deceased Pennsylvania attorney, magistrate and legislator. Stephen Zappala Jr. is the brother of Michelle Zappala Peck and Gregory Zappala.
in Pittsburgh, Zappala Jr. began his undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware
, where he played linebacker. After a back injury sidelined him, he transferred to the University of Pittsburgh
, where he graduated with a degree in political science. He earned his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law
.
law firms of Grogan, Graffam, McGinley & Lucchino and Datillo, Barry, Fasulo & Cambest as an associate. In 1990, he became a partner at Brucker, Zappala, Schneider & Porter, another Pittsburgh law firm. In 1995, he was named Chairman of the Allegheny County Board of Viewers.
In December 1997, then-District Attorney Robert Colville announced he was leaving the position to become judge on the Court of Common Pleas. Zappala was appointed by the Allegheny County's Common Pleas judges with 22 votes. His primary rival for the position, W. Christopher Conrad, received 6 votes. Zappala defeated Conrad again in the 1999 Democratic primary election for the district attorney position, with 63% of the vote. However, Conrad successfully pursued write-in votes on the Republican ballot, which led to Zappala facing Conrad again in the general election in November 1999. Zappala won handily.
In 2004, he became embroiled in a war of words with County Coroner
Dr. Cyril Wecht
, stemming from an open inquest Wecht pursued. Wecht accused Zappala of "impudence, arrogance, gall of an unmitigated nature, hubris and unsurpassed chutzpah that absolutely defies explanation," and musing, "Who does the district attorney think he is?" http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4051274/detail.html
When Wecht was later indicted on a variety of charges, a defense attorney blamed Zappala for the probe, saying it was politically motivated.
with his wife, Mary. They have four sons.
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
of Allegheny County in Pennsylvania. He has held this position since 1998, taking over for long serving Robert Colville
Robert Colville
Robert E. Colville was the Allegheny County District Attorney from 1976 until 1998 and before that the Pittsburgh Police superintendent from 1970 to 1976 under the Pete Flaherty administration. Before taking his seat at District Attorney he was the Pittsburgh Police Chief from February 10,...
.
Family
Stephen A. Zappala Jr. is the son of Phyllis Zappala (nee Koleno) and Stephen Zappala Sr.Stephen Zappala Sr.
Stephen Zappala Sr. is a former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Chief Justice.-Background:Stephen Zappala Sr. is the son of Josephine Zappala and Frank J...
, former Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice, and grandson of Frank J. Zappala, now-deceased Pennsylvania attorney, magistrate and legislator. Stephen Zappala Jr. is the brother of Michelle Zappala Peck and Gregory Zappala.
Education
After graduating from Central Catholic High SchoolCentral Catholic High School (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)
Central Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory school for boys in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a part of the Diocese of Pittsburgh and is administrated and partially staffed by the Brothers of the Christian Schools....
in Pittsburgh, Zappala Jr. began his undergraduate studies at the University of Delaware
University of Delaware
The university is organized into seven colleges:* College of Agriculture and Natural Resources* College of Arts and Sciences* Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics* College of Earth, Ocean and Environment* College of Education and Human Development...
, where he played linebacker. After a back injury sidelined him, he transferred to the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
, where he graduated with a degree in political science. He earned his J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law
Duquesne University School of Law
Duquesne University School of Law is a private Catholic university law school located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The School of Law was founded in 1911, and is the only multiple-division law school in western Pennsylvania. Located on the Duquesne University campus, the law school is walking...
.
Career
Upon graduation from law school, he joined the PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
law firms of Grogan, Graffam, McGinley & Lucchino and Datillo, Barry, Fasulo & Cambest as an associate. In 1990, he became a partner at Brucker, Zappala, Schneider & Porter, another Pittsburgh law firm. In 1995, he was named Chairman of the Allegheny County Board of Viewers.
In December 1997, then-District Attorney Robert Colville announced he was leaving the position to become judge on the Court of Common Pleas. Zappala was appointed by the Allegheny County's Common Pleas judges with 22 votes. His primary rival for the position, W. Christopher Conrad, received 6 votes. Zappala defeated Conrad again in the 1999 Democratic primary election for the district attorney position, with 63% of the vote. However, Conrad successfully pursued write-in votes on the Republican ballot, which led to Zappala facing Conrad again in the general election in November 1999. Zappala won handily.
In 2004, he became embroiled in a war of words with County Coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
Dr. Cyril Wecht
Cyril Wecht
Dr. Cyril Harrison Wecht is an American forensic pathologist. He has been a consultant in numerous high-profile cases, but is perhaps best known for his criticism of the Warren Commission's findings concerning the assassination of John F...
, stemming from an open inquest Wecht pursued. Wecht accused Zappala of "impudence, arrogance, gall of an unmitigated nature, hubris and unsurpassed chutzpah that absolutely defies explanation," and musing, "Who does the district attorney think he is?" http://www.thepittsburghchannel.com/news/4051274/detail.html
When Wecht was later indicted on a variety of charges, a defense attorney blamed Zappala for the probe, saying it was politically motivated.
Personal life
Zappala lives in suburban Fox Chapel, PennsylvaniaFox Chapel, Pennsylvania
Fox Chapel is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, USA, and is a suburb of Pittsburgh located northeast of downtown.The population was 5,388 as of the 2010 census.-History:...
with his wife, Mary. They have four sons.
See also
- District AttorneyDistrict attorneyIn many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
- Pittsburgh PolicePittsburgh PoliceThe Pittsburgh Police, or officially the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, is the largest law enforcement agency in Western Pennsylvania and the third largest in Pennsylvania...
- Allegheny County SheriffAllegheny County SheriffThe Allegheny County Sheriff's Office is a local county law enforcement agency that serves both Pittsburgh and Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. It primarily provides court, warrant, bailiff, and jail/prisoner transport services for the county...
- Allegheny County Police DepartmentAllegheny County Police DepartmentThe Allegheny County Police Department is a Police Department which patrols the Pittsburgh International Airport, the Allegheny County Airport, and county-owned properties and parks, including North Park and South Park...