HOLLIDAYSBURG — A Blair County judge said the death penalty is constitutional and should remain an option at the trial of an Iraq war veteran charged with killing two people during a sandwich shop robbery.
Judge Jolene Kopriva rejected defense arguments that the death penalty is “cruel and inhumane” and, further, that jurors are more likely to impose the death penalty if they’re first asked if they don’t object to it.
No trial date has been set for 29-year-old Nicholas Horner of Altoona, a Johnstown native.
Horner’s family and friends contend he suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder when he allegedly gunned down Scott Garlick, a 19-year-old clerk, while taking about $130 from an Altoona Subway store on April 6. He also is accused of killing Ray Williams, 64, formerly of Northern Cambria, moments later while fleeing from the sandwich shop.
Man gets jail for restroom peeping
INDIANA – A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to six to 23 months in jail for recording men on his cell phone while they were using public restrooms at Wal-Mart stores in two counties and the IUP campus.
State police said Christopher Marsh, of Blairsville, did that 42 times from September to November 2008 at IUP and stores in Unity Township, Westmoreland County, and Burrell Township, Indiana County. Police arrested Marsh after clerks in one store noticed he spent more than 31⁄2 hours in the restroom.
He will serve two years probation after his release from jail.
YWCA pool to close for roof repairs
The pool at the YWCA of Greater Johnstown, 526 Somerset St. in the city’s Kernville section, will be closed Thursday for roof repairs.
The YWCA office and the body shop will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday.
The pool is scheduled to reopen at 8:30 a.m. Friday.
Southmont appoints water board member
Stephen J. Verotsky has been appointed by Southmont Borough to a five-year term on the Greater Johnstown Water Authority board. He replaces Mark Wissinger, whose five-year term expired Dec. 31.
Local News
In brief: Judge: Death penalty OK in war vet’s trial
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Boswell-based summer camp adding 130 acres
A Boswell-based summer camp is expanding again, with an additional 130 acres of Ligonier-area land expected to provide more space for a growing program for inner-city youth.
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City not seeking grant for firemen
Six weeks after a second round of layoffs, Johnstown firefighters believe they have found a way to restore their depleted manpower.
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Six awarded Allegany College scholarships
Six Somerset County residents recently were awarded the Lucas Popernack Memorial Scholarships for study at Allegany College of Maryland in the current 2011-12 academic year.
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Blogging with heart
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Commissioners appoint three to arena board
The Cambria County commissioners, looking for new input for the county-owned War Memorial Arena, have appointed three new members to the seven-member War Memorial Authority board.
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In brief: Police seek suspect in Lower Yoder burglary
West Hills Regional Police are searching for a suspect in the burglary of a Lower Yoder Township home on Tuesday.
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Lawsuit: Bedford County shooting not 'justified'
The widow of a man who a prosecutor determined committed “suicide by cop” by pointing a weapon at state police during a standoff is suing, claiming the shooting was not justified.
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Book honors Flight 93 co-pilot Homer
The widow of Flight 93 copilot LeRoy W. Homer Jr. is releasing a book this month on the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
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Mild winter speeds work: Entertainment venue may be complete by end of May
An unusually mild winter has accelerated construction of a new outdoor entertainment venue in Johnstown.
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Man jailed on rash of charges
A Patton man is being held on $100,000 bond after police said he threatened to kill a woman, her family and himself unless she talked to him about a protection-from-abuse order.
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