McKean County District Attorney John Pavlock was resting at home
Wednesday following his sudden departure from a hearing a day
earlier at the courthouse, during which he fell ill and was taken
by ambulance to a Coudersport hospital.

A spokesperson at the district attorney’s office said Wednesday
afternoon that Pavlock “was at home and feeling much better” when
asked about his medical condition.

The spokesperson said until Pavlock is able to return to the
office, which is not immediately known, Assistant District Attorney
Christa Schott will be handling any cases or matters that need
immediate attention.

There was no further information being released to the media. A
call seeking comment from Court Administrator Joanne Bly was
referred to the DA’s office.

Pavlock was involved in a Tuesday hearing over whether killer
James McMahon should get a new trial. During the morning session,
Pavlock and McMahon’s attorney, Greg Henry, had grilled Sherry
DelCamp, who had been drinking with McMahon and others all day
leading up to the March 2001 fatal stabbing of Link Dowell in the
Hotel Bradford.

After a break for lunch, Henry began by questioning Dennis
Luttenauer, McMahon’s attorney, when he was convicted of murder and
on why he had not used a defense of intoxication that might have
reduced the verdict from first-degree murder to third.

Following Henry’s arguments and instead of addressing the
witness, Pavlock asked McKean County President Judge John Cleland
if he could approach the bench, then whispered briefly to Cleland,
who announced the proceeding would be adjourned and would be
reconvened at a later date.

Pavlock hurriedly left the courtroom, returned to office and an
ambulance was called to the courthouse. The district attorney could
later be seen leaving the facility on a stretcher. He was then
taken to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport, where he
was treated and released, returning to his home in Smethport
Tuesday night.

Pavlock had previously indicated that he was suffering from the
effects of the flu, but told a reporter Tuesday that he was feeling
better. It was not immediately clear whether Pavlock had a
reoccurrence of the flu symptoms or experienced another health
problem.

Officials with the DA’s office said the McMahon hearing has not
been rescheduled as of Wednesday afternoon.

The regular plea day session of McKean County Court was expected
to go on as normal today.