Delaware County Daily Times - Mar 23, 2000 Article #3

Rivera smiles at his arraignment

Delaware County Daily Times (Primos - Upper Darby, PA) - Thursday, March 23, 2000

Author: KATHLEEN E. CAREY ; Of the Times Staff

LOWER CHICHESTER -- Robert Rivera 's reactions changed as often as a chameleon's skin at his arraignment on murder charges yesterday afternoon.

Walking through a throng of TV cameras into District Justice Rocco Gaspari's court, his head was bowed and he didn't utter a word as reporters peppered him with questions about his daughter.

Katelyn 's mother, Jennifer Helton, slipped in and out of a minivan, declining comment.

Standing before Gaspari, Rivera wore shackles, a gray sweatsuit and a pair of white and black Riddell sneakers. He broke his silence when Gaspari asked him if he understood the charges against him. "Yes, I do, judge," he said.

When asked if he realized he was entitled to an attorney and that was G. Guy Smith, Rivera said, "Mmm-hmmm."

Gaspari then told him about the specifics of his preliminary hearing and the accused shook his head.

Throughout most of the five-minute hearing, he wore a grin across his face.

As they walked out of the courtroom, Smith advised his client, "Don't be a smartie. Behave yourself."

Rivera smiled back, "Okay."

Rivera again met the media crowd as he left the Ridge Road facility. This time, he spoke.

"I can't wait until it goes to trial," he said. Asked where his daughter is as he entered the black Ford Explorer, he countered, "When the trial comes, I'll tell."

With the doors of the truck closing, Rivera yelled, "Jailhouse snitches."

It then drove away, carrying the only person who knows for sure what happened to Katelyn .