Grello Turned Down In Appeal Of 123-year Prison Sentence

A jury convicted Grello, 38, of rape, robbery, burglary, escape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, firearms offenses and a host of other crimes.

The state Superior Court has denied John Grello's appeal of the 123-to 246- year sentence he received from a Lehigh County judge in 1984.

The appellate court said in its memorandum that it didn't need to repeat Grello's "extensive and violent spree of crimes."

Grello had lost his appeal before Lehigh County Judge Maxwell E. Davison, who sentenced him, and Judge David E. Mellenberg.

His appeal to the Superior Court said the county court committed three errors:

- Allowing into evidence various items seized in a search of Grello's car.

- Denying his motion to be tried separately on nine charges.

- Imposing an "excessive" sentence.

The appellate court said it thoroughly reviewed the record and considered Grello's arguments. However, it found that "the trial court not only considered, but twice considered, each of those issues, and properly disposed of them in its several opinions."

"The opinions are supported by the record and contain no abuse of discretion or error of law," the memorandum said.

It added that sentencing is "within the sound discretion of the trial court" and there was no abuse of that discretion.

Police searched Grello's car after a high-speed chase in January 1983 ended when Grello drove his car into a police roadblock in Salisbury Township and fled. Stolen stereo equipment, gloves and other items were found in the car.

Grello contended that they did not have a search warrant.

The district attorney's office argued that once the car was seized police could search it if they had probable cause to believe that it contained evidence of contraband. Police said they saw Grello throw a ski mask out of his car during the chase.

The mask was identified by three victims as the one worn by Grello.

Davison and Mellenberg ruled that because Grello had been throwing items from the car and was a suspect in various offenses, police had "more than a passing interest" in getting evidence.

They said Grello gave up any expectations of privacy when he ran from the car.

Davison and Mellenberg ruled that consolidating the charges for trial did not prejudice the jury, which convicted Grello on all charges but a theft count.

Grello also was sentenced to 53 1/2 to 107 years in Montgomery County for a shootout with sheriff's deputies taking him to Graterford State Prison from Northampton County in July 1983.

He was sentenced to five to 10 years by a Northampton County judge for breaking into Bethlehem's former Globe Theater. Police said he hid in the theater after escaping from Lehigh County Prison.

When he was found, he was armed with a loaded pistol, police said.