June 19, 2026
BREAKING NEWS: Lenahan & Dempsey Attorney Ruth Lenahan Secures Not Guilty Verdict in “Unwinnable” Case
After an eight-day trial, Lenahan & Dempsey’s Criminal Law Specialist Ruth Lenahan obtained a unanimous jury verdict in Luzerne County freeing a young engineering student who was wrongly accused of attempted homicide on Christmas night in 2023.
Twenty-four-year-old Wadea Dwikat of Exeter was found not guilty on all charges that in addition to attempted homicide included aggravated assault, burglary, theft and criminal trespass.
The jury returned with their verdict in less than three hours after a twenty-one witness, eight-day trial.
According to Attorney Ruth Lenahan, “We had a highly intelligent jury who listened to a mountain of evidence that proved far beyond a reasonable doubt, it would have been physically impossible for Mr. Dwikat to be involved in the shooting. The evidence was rock solid.” Lenahan added this was possibly the most complex case she had tried over her illustrious career as a trial attorney in Boston and Northeast PA.
Ruth Lenahan continued, “We were told that due to the complexity of this case it was unwinnable. Well, a smart jury thought differently and, frankly, at Lenahan & Dempsey, we never believe any case we take to trial is unwinnable and in fact it’s just the opposite.”
Mr. Dwikat was immediately freed from jail following the jury verdict. He spent approximately two and a half years behind bars waiting for trial.
Luzerne County Judge Joseph Sklarosky Jr. thanked jurors for their service telling them the American justice system is envy of the free world.
Attorney Ruth Lenahan can be reached at 1.888.LENAHAN.
