Judge accepts former chief deputy coroner’s guilty plea

Pulaski Superior Court Judge Patrick Blankenship took his time accepting the guilty plea of former chief deputy coroner Tracy Rossman on Feb. 16. 
Rossman, 42, Winamac, pleaded guilty to the charge of official misconduct during an entry of plea hearing. 
Rossman was accused of official misconduct and theft after she was suspected of stealing two gift cards from a deceased Lawton man, Dave Penicaro, during his death investigation in August of 2015. 
When it was time for Blankenship to decide on whether or not to accept Rossman’s plea of guilty, he took his time before making a statement. Instead of accepting the plea, he asked Rossman to explain what she did. 
Blankenship then asked if the items were in her possession because it was part of her duties. She said it was not part of her duties.    
Blankenship then found her guilty of official misconduct and accepted the plea agreement.