I THURSDAY, FEB. 4, 2010 Attorney said allegations of sexual favors are false District Court to rule whether Centre County will be dropped from Scott's suit. By Laura Nichols COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER The attorney representing Centre County said allegations a former prosecutor only pursued the case against former Penn State football player Austin Scott to "curry sexual favor" with the plaintiff are false. Now the Pennsylvania Middle District Court could rule within the next 30 to 40 days on whether Centre County will be dropped from Scott's suit, County Attorney Joseph Green said. But Scott's legal team isn't wor ried. Attorney John Karoly said "by no stretch of the imagination" will Centre County be dropped from his client's case and it may be forced to provide informa tion he said has been kept under wraps. Attorney general may see DA case By Laura Nichols COLLEGIAN STAFF WRITER A murder case regarding the 2006 killing of a Penn State senior could now be transferred to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office from the Centre County dis trict attorney's office because of a scheduling conflict. Andrew Rogers was convicted 4 r, 2007 of murdering Penn State senior Youngcheol Park in 2006, though Rogers maintains he acted in self-defense against Park and a third man who was never found. Centre County District Attorney Stacy Parks Miller said she was not able to keep the case because of a schedule conflict, submitting a request to the attor ney general's office. Parks Miller could not elabo rate on the subject of the schedul ing conflict that moved the case out of Centre County. The case currently is in the appeal stage. Centre County Judge Bradley P Lunsford "The public at large has a righ to know whether it is a violation o the law or hormones that drov; the prosecutors of this office," Karoly said. Karoly believes 4.‘ the county wants to stop the case from going any further to keep the public at large from ever know- ing what really went on Karoly wrote in his Jan. 26 doc ument that Centre County should have kept a closer watch on now resigned prosecutor Lance Marshall, who had been the sub ject of other sexual harassment claims. His submission to the court details the actions of Marshall, who Karoly said was motivated to pursue the charges against Scott in order to gain sex ual favors from Scott's accuser. Monday marked the conclusion of the briefing period, and all doc uments by both parties have been filed, Green said. Green filed the ordered a new trial in December 2008 after new evidence surfaced about a man who matched Rogers' descrip- tion of the third man, according to court docu ments. But the prose- ; cution said '' 't i .lIIPP' t Rogers should not be allowed a new trial because Rogers his behavior was so intentional and egregious, Parks Miller said. The prosecution is currently in the appeal stage of the judge's denial of double jeopardy, she said. Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office spokesman Eric Shirk said it is common practice for a district attorney to refer the case to the attorney general's office if that district attorney feels there is any potential conflict of interest or a lack of resources. Parks Miller wouldn't say if there was a conflict of interest. final reply brief Monday in respcins:i to documents opposing Centre C. anty's request. Scott t ne time NFL hopeful. was fir! . in 2007 after a woman said 1 sexually assaulted her in his on c:impus apartment. After contenti, Av.. legal wrangling both inside and outside the court room -- resulting on a press gag order on all parties involved all charges were dropped by the prosecution. Scott is now suing multiple Penn State and Centre County officials, saying his prosecution ruined any chance of a career in profess! , mil football. He was removes: rem the team shortly after the incident for violating an unspecitied team rule and was not picked in the subsequent NFL Draft. Scott charges wert- dropped after the court ruled evidence. indicatMg the alleged ‘,ii•tini had previousy made s;aiii,:u• claims against anodic: Mali '‘ -' Arms sible. To e-nia,l reporter . Icnsol9@psu.edu David Crowley Rogers' attor ney. called his client's case a prominent one in the state and said he has been in contact with the deput:\ attorney general. who will be handling the appeal. Once Crowley receives the brief written by the deputy attor ney general. it Nvill be decided whether case warrants oral argunit at ur 'further brief submis sion. Cr,v, icy said. Rogers told police be beat and choVid Park with a rolling pin after the student pulled a i2, - un on him in the midst of a tight with a third man he iMeNN - only as - Sweet. - He turned himself into police several days after the killing. Sweet has never been found. though one witness said a man matching his description sold him Park's Rolex watch after the mur der. Prosecutors never turned over this evidence to defense attorneys, a mistake a judge ruled warranted a new trial. repo, tel Icnsol9@psu.edu Customers walk to and from the txme Lulu's Nightspot and Candy Bar and Lounge, 1. More violations filed against bars By Greg Galiffa 'AL3IAN STAFF WRITER Sammark Inc. owner Tony Sapia will have to delay selling his liquor license after authorities filed several more liquor viola tions against one of his bars. After a two-year legal battle ended with the closing of Sammark's three properties --- Tony's Big Easy, Lulu's Nightspot and Candy Bar and Lounge, all located at 129 1 2 S. Pugh St. - the Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement (PFILCE has filed four new cita tions against Tony's that all stein from the past year PBLCE Sgt. Wayne Bush said the company will not be able to sell its liquor license until atter the citations have been cleared - Technically they can't transfer he license until the latest cita tums been dispo , ed or* lush When tile done .111 11( (', (11-ill ling tollir‘k ol a court order. st , rvitu: sc , . era! people under the 21 and using. a loudspeaker play ktud enour , h that it was heard man the street, as 11 ell harassment and simple assault charges against bar employees. Police also said the charges will be presented before an administrative law judge who Flit: DAILY COLLEGIAN etter C3liegt3 , of Tony's Big Easy. - 9 1 2 S. Pugh St. could impose tines ranging from S5O to 51,000 Sapia's attorney. Robert Hoffman. said he doesn't believe these citations will cause any further problems for the company in regards to the sale. Since Sapia previously agreed to close the bars. Hoffman said this ii: c t legal complication is beside the point... ,-, ,t these citations are uie:‘tc'l up with Tony's Big their license. 're going to be mov- 1 , •.: . 1 - 1(? elsewhere." he It. - .)n ,ee how these cita i.;oll,.: c .iroy..v the IPBLCEI to do an more than they've dna," the on , ,ming troubles • ITI,CE. a buyer has interest in purchasing Hoffman said. space and out- Lal issues may affect • fi.in lust Sapia's business, olov, - .1 District Improvement .1( Alessandrine said. hE. understands why the film these charges. irh. • said the loss of f ' ,- 11Y make it harder `l(l'rtH and the town to ~n s important that .)k‘ 1.1,ed in the most at tlle earliest possible couhi . - iot be reached for canur!tiv.. a.s of press tune. gmgso4l@psu.edu
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers