25-year-old Anthony Alexi “Antonia” Quesen also known as Antonia Kaseim, 25, was arrested by authorities earlier this week for the alleged stabbing and killing of Benjamin Brallier, 44, on the Montour Trail in Moon. Mr. Braillier, father of 2, was a Liquor Control Enforcement agent with the Pennsylvania State Police but was off duty at the time and out for a jog on the trail.
Monday’s deadly attack was not Quesen’s first time being arrested. In the summer of 2023, Quesen was accused of robbing someone at Point State Park. Allegheny County court administrator Joe Asturi confirmed that Orenstein set a non-monetary bail for Quesen, allowing him out of jail.
Mr. Asturi also confirmed that Mr. Quesen failed to appear for any hearings after his arraignment and that Orenstein finally revoked his bail in December, but the defendant remained on the streets until his arrest following the fatal stabbing on Monday.
Multiple local officials are now calling for the impeachment of the magistrate who set this non-monetary bail. State Senator Devlin Robinson released a statement calling for his colleagues in the state house to file articles of impeachment against Orenstein.
“This is the third instance of Orenstein letting a dangerous suspect loose. This time, it has ended in murder,” read the statement. “I intend to take an active part in pushing for the removal of Xander Orenstin. Our region has suffered too much at the hands of this reckless activist judge.”
State Sen. Devlin Robinson announced that he will ask House members to introduce articles of impeachment to remove Magisterial District Judge Xander Orenstein pic.twitter.com/iS3fXBk0BJ
— Colin Dunlap (@colin_dunlap) October 23, 2024
Allegheny County Councilman At-Large Sam DeMarco released a statement in support of Orenstein’s removal saying, “We have long feared that Judge Orenstein’s reckless pattern of letting dangerous suspects back on the street would cost a life. Now it has. And Xander Orenstein must be removed from the bench.”
House members look to be taking up these calls, as House Republican Whip Tim O’Neal, of neighboring Washington County, said in a statement he will introduce articles of impeachment against the judge.
Orenstein, who refers to themselves as the “first openly non-binary member of the US Judiciary,” refused to comment following a question from WTAE saying, “I cannot breach the rules of ethics by making a statement that may have an impact on any potential proceedings.”
