BEDFORD — An Everett man charged with kidnapping and murder – and who has been in jail nearly three years awaiting trial – won’t be free any time soon.
In a ruling made public Monday, Judge Daniel Howsare refused to reconsider an opinion he handed down a year ago denying a request by Joseph W. Clark to be released from the Bedford County Jail on nominal bail.
Clark, 49, accused of the 2000 kidnap/murder of Holly Notestine, had a three-week trial earlier this year that ended in a hung jury.
He had hoped to be out of jail pending his second capital murder trial, likely in early June.
Thomas Crawford, the suburban Pittsburgh attorney representing Clark, said Monday no other options are left to pursue.
“I probably won’t appeal it. The time it takes for the Superior Court to rule on it, the trial will be over,” he said.
The higher court dismissed Crawford’s appeal of the 2007 Howsare decision.
Bedford County District Attorney William Higgins said he was not surprised by the latest ruling.
“That’s what I expected. We’re ready to proceed to trial. We’re waiting on a location for the jury selection,” Higgins said.
As of Monday, the state Supreme Court had not ruled on a motion by Crawford seeking a seal on the order naming a county where a jury will be selected for the second trial.
The jury in the first trial was brought in from Butler County.
Crawford hopes to keep the county for the second panel secret to avoid prospective jurors reading news accounts about Clark on the Internet.
Local News
Judge stands by bail denial for Clark
- Local News
-
-
Proposed bill would expand use of traffic-light cameras
Some call it the hand of “big brother,” others are convinced cameras at signal lights would be effective in curbing red-light runners and ultimately saving lives.
-
Minister's trial date set
An issue has been resolved over the report from an examination of a girl allegedly taken by her mother to a Bedford motel to have sex with a traveling minister, clearing the way for a trial.
-
AP: Almost half of new veterans seek disability
America’s newest veterans are filing for disability benefits at a historic rate, claiming to be the most medically and mentally troubled generation of former troops the nation has ever seen.
-
Geistown beginning crime watch program
Residents will patrol Geistown streets in the coming weeks as part of a community watch program.
-
Persons of the Week: Nanty Glo vets will remember fallen comrades
Michael Kurtz, Tom Kasecky and Steve Kasecky will be among members of the Loy A. Douglass Post 3489 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Nanty Glo who will be honoring fallen veterans today, Memorial Day.
-
AG candidates face potential conflicts of interest
Both candidates for Pennsylvania attorney general have family ties that could pose a conflict of interest for the one who is elected as the state’s next chief legal officer.
-
Lawmakers: Capitol rallies unpersuasive
Nancy Richey stepped to the podium with a microphone at the Capitol rotunda with the hope that the right people would hear her message.
-
Richland closer to new chief
The search for Richland’s next police chief is winding down.
-
In brief: Thunderstorm downs trees, knocks out power
A late Sunday afternoon thunderstorm brought high winds, hard rain and hail to the Cambria-Somerset region.
- District Deaths May 28, 2012
- More Local News Headlines
-


