Woman Shows up 'Altered' to Preliminary Hearing

The preliminary hearing for a woman arrested for allegedly harassing a Lower Milford woman was continued Tuesday when the judge and defense attorney decided she was too "altered" to understand the proceedings. 

Constance "Connie" David, 45, of Emmaus is charged with harassment and disorderly conduct after the alleged victim complained about 40 messages on her phone over the course of two days. 

During Tuesday's preliminary hearing, District Judge David Harding directed David to stop talking multiple times as she mumbled throughout the proceedings. "I'm sorry judge, I'm sorry," said David during one outburst in the courtroom. 

Because of behavior that Harding characterized as "drunk," David's attorney, Craig Nealy (formerly Emmaus Borough manager) asked the judge to continue the case. "[David's] behavior is making it very hard to represent my client," said Nealy. "I agree she is altered in some way."

Harding agreed to continue the preliminary hearing for a date yet to be determined. David was released on $5,000 unsecured bail as well as agreeing to a "no-contact" order with the alleged victim. 

According to the criminal complaint, a woman contacted the police about harassing messages left on her phone on Jan. 4 and 5. She told police that David "leaves messages that go from accusatory to normal talk to apologetic and they don't make sense. Several of the messages include profane and vulgar language."

She also stated that David showed up at her home and office "continuously."

The report did not specify the nature of the relationship between the woman and David, but in court David told Harding she was "jealous."