HARRISBURG — A state prosecutor described the former second-ranking state House Democrat on Friday as the mastermind of a scheme to rip off taxpayers to win elections and “expand his own kingship.”
Jurors in the six-week-old political corruption trial of former Beaver County state Rep. Mike Veon and three of his ex-aides deliberated for less than two hours before asking to be sent home for the weekend.
Outside the jury’s presence, prosecutors and defense attorneys haggled bitterly over what portion of the boxes of e-mails and other evidence would be sent into the jury room.
Veon is on trial with former senior aides Steve Keefer, Anna-marie Perretta-Rosepink and Brett Cott. They face charges of theft, conspiracy and conflict of interest in what prosecutors say was the diversion of taxpayer resources for campaigns and other improper purposes.
Expert: Senator likely caused fatal crash
STROUDSBURG – A Pennsylvania lawmaker killed in a 2008 crash in the Poconos likely drifted into the path of an oncoming pickup truck to avoid a minivan that had pulled onto the shoulder ahead of him, a defense expert said Friday.
The collision that killed state Sen. James Rhoades, 66, a seven-term Republican from Schuylkill County, and seriously injured his wife, Mary Edith, could not have happened as prosecutors claim it did, said Kevin Theriault, who was hired by the defense for Thomas Senavitis.
Senavitis, 46, is on trial for vehicular homicide, drunken driving and related offenses.
Prosecutors allege his pickup truck crossed the center line of state Route 209 and slammed into Rhoades’ Cadillac sedan.
That scenario, said Theriault, an accident-reconstruction expert, is “literally impossible.”
Judge to rule later on adult hearing for boy
NEW CASTLE – A boy who was 11 when he allegedly murdered his father’s pregnant fiancee with a shotgun has a “very limited” likelihood of being rehabilitated through the juvenile court system, said a psychiatrist hired by state prosecutors.
A judge must weigh that in deciding whether Jordan Brown, now 12, will be tried as an adult or have his case moved to juvenile court.
Brown faces up to life in prison if convicted of the Feb. 20, 2009, slaying of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk and her nearly full-term son as she lay in bed in their New Galilee farmhouse.
If the case is moved to juvenile court, the longest Brown could remain incarcerated or on probation would be about nine years – until he’s 21.
To move the case under Pennsylvania law, Brown’s attorneys must prove he would be more “amenable” to rehabilitation in the juvenile system.
Dr. John O’Brien, a psychiatrist hired by state prosecutors, said Brown is “avoidant” and “evasive” when asked about the killings and denies all responsibility for them.
Brown’s father, Christopher, told “Good Morning America” earlier this week that his son is innocent and is “too young” to appreciate the magnitude of the case. He refused comment as he left the courtroom.
Lawrence County Judge Dominick Motto must rule within 20 days or Brown will remain in adult court by default.
Suspect arrested in attack on priest
CONNELLSVILLE – A business manager for three western Pennsylvania parishes has been charged with attacking a parish priest.
Forty-six-year-old Kevin Labuda, of Connellsville, was charged Friday with aggravated assault, criminal trespass and related crimes in the March 3 attack on 48-year-old Father Joseph Bonafed.
Police said Bonafed was attacked in the rectory at Immaculate Conception Church in Connellsville, where he is pastor. He received stitches for a head wound.
Jerry Zufelt, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Greensburg, said the diocese is grateful for the arrest but saddened because Labuda is an employee.
Zufelt said the diocese will consider Labuda’s employment.
Labuda is being held in jail and it’s unclear if he has an attorney.
