WILKES-BARRE — When Luzerne County President Judge Michael T. Vough called the case of Eva Lucianna Maslar on Thursday, she stood up, hugged two people and approached the bench.
Vough complimented Maslar on her improved health since their last meeting.
Maslar, 38, expressed feeling better than ever, attributing it to attending drug/alcohol counseling and being sober for almost two years.
Acknowledging Maslar’s dedication to staying drug-free, Vough said he would provide her with an opportunity.
“I’m going to give you an opportunity. You said you want to change your life, I’ll give you that opportunity,” Vough said.
Maslar, represented by Attorney James J. Scanlon, was sentenced to two-to-four years in state prison on drug-related charges, including a criminal use of communication facility related to the homicide investigation of James Raymond “Hollywood” Alberto.
During Alberto’s jury trial in November 2023, Maslar was described as his business partner and occasional girlfriend.
After Alberto's arrest for orchestrating the murder of Judith Comisky, investigators claim Maslar tried to convince Charles Reilly Bierly to take full responsibility to clear Alberto.
Maslar testified during Alberto's trial that she provided a .32-caliber revolver to Alberto, who then gave it to Bierly to use in the murder of Comisky. When the revolver failed to fire, Bierly resorted to using knives to repeatedly stab Comisky.
Assistant district attorneys Drew McLaughlin and Julian Truskowski argued that Alberto wanted Comisky killed because he believed she was giving information to law enforcement about his criminal activities.
Following Alberto's life sentence on Jan. 4, prosecutors withdrew a witness intimidation charge against Maslar on Feb. 5; she had already pleaded guilty to criminal use of communication facility related to her phone calls with Bierly. Additionally, she had previously admitted to possessing methamphetamine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.
Vough made Maslar eligible for the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections drug treatment program. If she completes the program successfully, she can request release to a community halfway house within seven months.
Bierly received a 45 to 90-year prison sentence for third-degree murder, criminal conspiracy to commit murder, and illegal possession of a firearm.
