Former constable faces prison timeA father of seven who resigned as constable and acknowledged gambling away more than $1 million he stole while working as an unpaid deputy for his tax collector wife faces sentencing by a federal judge in Pittsburgh.Court filings by his attorney and federal prosecutors suggest 57-year-old Keith Kristek will face at least three years in prison at Tuesday’s sentencing.Kristek in June pleaded guilty to mail fraud and filing a false tax return, and he acknowledged stealing the money he collected for his wife, Cynthia Kristek. She resigned as tax collector in Baden after an audit turned up the missing money last year. As the tiny borough’s tax collector, she was also responsible for collecting taxes that borough residents owed to the Ambridge School District.

Man wins appeal of finger convictionA state appeals court has overturned the disorderly conduct conviction of a Pittsburgh man who was charged because he gave his ex-wife the middle finger.The Superior Court decision Monday was based on past rulings by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court that the gesture is not obscene — and therefore not illegal — unless it is used in a sexual context.Thirty-five-year-old Jason Waugaman was acquitted of an endangerment charge for allegedly driving his truck too close to his ex during a November 2014 child custody exchange, but sentenced to 90 days’ probation for disorderly conduct.Senior Judge Eugene Strassburger wrote in Monday’s opinion that, “Unless the First Amendment was repealed when I was not looking, giving someone the middle finger should not constitute a crime.”

Jury being picked in mall shooting caseJury selection resumes today for the trial of a teenager accused of wounding three people at Monroeville Mall last year.Allegheny County prosecutors say five jurors were chosen Monday for the attempted homicide and aggravated assault trial of 18-year-old Tarod Thornhill in the February 2015 shootings in Macy’s.Thornhill was 17 when the shooting occurred and his attorney was unsuccessful in trying to move the case to juvenile court, which would only have jurisdiction until he’s 21.