By XMN News Staff | Somerset County, PA | July 11, 2025
Somerset County District Attorney Molly Metzgar is facing growing public backlash and calls to resign following her office’s handling of the case involving Braxton Judy, who was charged in the 2023 deaths of Talan Marva and Rachel Maldonado. The controversy stems from a “SHADY” plea agreement reached with Judy—resulting in the dismissal of multiple charges and a reduction to misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter and reckless driving.
Outrage erupted on social media after the families of the victims and members of the Somerset community accused DA Metzgar of mishandling “and been a crooked district attorney” and shielding the defendant from accountability over bribery.
Public Criticism Mounts
In a widely circulated Facebook post, Chris Hecklinger, a friend of the Marva and Maldonado families, criticized Metzgar for what he called a “slap in the face” to the victims and their loved ones.
“States Attorney Metzgar and her office came out with a news brief explaining why they withdrew several of the charges against Braxton Judy. She threw the Pennsylvania State Police under the bus, claiming the investigation had weak points,” Hecklinger wrote. “She even questioned the black box in Judy’s vehicle, dismissed forensic evidence, and blamed police for sloppy work. Meanwhile, she released HIPAA-protected medical information about a 17-year-old minor and falsely claimed the family approved the plea deal.”
Hecklinger alleged that the DA’s office ambushed the victims’ families with a plea deal just before it was finalized, offering no real opportunity for them to object.
“The plea was already negotiated the night before. Metzgar claimed the family signed off on it—that’s simply not true,” he added. “All this while Judy keeps his driver’s license after killing two people.”
An anonymous powerful attorney stated, “I am going to make it my mission to investigate and uncover any misconduct or wrongdoing within the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office. I will ensure that my mission includes pursuing the disbarment and removal of this District Attorney. We are working on that. Enough is enough of the abuse she has inflicted in the county.”
Community and Insider Reactions
Public outrage intensified with Metzgar’s admission that her office did not move to suspend Judy’s license, instead deferring responsibility to the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Several Facebook users criticized the DA, with one writing:
“This DA is running for judge in November. Let’s vote no.”
An individual claiming to be an insider at the DA’s office made even more serious allegations, stating anonymously:
“This DA is a crooked [expletive] who would destroy anyone to save herself. They need to open a criminal investigation into that office. A lot of attorneys pay her to get favorable outcomes.”
The mounting pressure has sparked calls for an independent investigation into the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office.
CALLS TO VOTE HER OUT OF OFFICE AND A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
However, critics say the timing of her press release, just months ahead of the November judicial election, is a clear attempt at damage control.
“She’s not trying to get justice,” one user commented. “She’s campaigning from the DA’s office.”
A Community Demanding Accountability
The deaths of Talan Marva and Rachel Maldonado—described by loved ones as “amazing young people with bright futures”—have become a rallying point for citizens demanding reform and transparency.
In the words of the Marva and Maldonado families:
“To the citizens of Somerset and beyond who have followed this case, we thank you for your prayers, love, and support. Rachel and Talon deserved more.”
As of publication time, DA Metzgar has not responded to new calls for her resignation or to demands for an external review of her office’s actions.
4 thoughts on “Calls for Somerset County DA Molly Metzgar to Resign Amid Outrage Over Braxton Judy Plea Deal in Deaths of Two Teens”
That is bull shit what you did for Braxton Judy he should sit in jail 10 to 20 years just so he thinkss long and hard about what he done be I told his dad he almost hit me but they do want to here it because his boy does no wrong and you all are just as bad giving him a slap on his wrist good boy
How the hell can someone kill 2 people while dui and absolutely nothing done about it when the fater makes a statement when this first happened his son wouldn’t spend a day in jail this is such a huge slap in the face and just foolishness to even make such a plea deal not only was this political suicide for the DA but I am quite certain that her husbands campaign will be tanked too
Somerset county aloud the man free because of what , a name he would “have to carry with him”. That’s some bullshit. He killed two people . Two people whose family don’t get to watch grow. He broke so many laws that night . And all that man gets is a slap on the wrist . No only did he disregard one speed limit of 25 mph but a second one of 35mph before impact. Talan and Rachel were good kids they had there whole life ahead of them . With a blink of an eye it was all taken by Braxton himself .
Somerset county is very crooked .
That is bull shit what you did for Braxton Judy he should sit in jail 10 to 20 years just so he thinkss long and hard about what he done be I told his dad he almost hit me but they do want to here it because his boy does no wrong and you all are just as bad giving him a slap on his wrist good boy
How the hell can someone kill 2 people while dui and absolutely nothing done about it when the fater makes a statement when this first happened his son wouldn’t spend a day in jail this is such a huge slap in the face and just foolishness to even make such a plea deal not only was this political suicide for the DA but I am quite certain that her husbands campaign will be tanked too
Somerset county aloud the man free because of what , a name he would “have to carry with him”. That’s some bullshit. He killed two people . Two people whose family don’t get to watch grow. He broke so many laws that night . And all that man gets is a slap on the wrist . No only did he disregard one speed limit of 25 mph but a second one of 35mph before impact. Talan and Rachel were good kids they had there whole life ahead of them . With a blink of an eye it was all taken by Braxton himself .
Somerset county is very crooked .
This is ridiculous. She should be fired.