Covener readies for USG computer trial

By TRACY WILSON
Collegian Staff Writer

A pretrial conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. today in Bellefonte for Jason Covener, former Undergraduate Student Government Senate president.

Covener was arrested in November on charges of wiretapping and unlawful use of a computer. A charge of criminal conspiracy has since been dropped in the case, which stems from alleged activities in the USG office.

The conference is a chance for the defendant's attorney, the district attorney and the judge to discuss the number of witnesses, exhibits and length of a possible trial, said Karen Muir, Covener's attorney.

"We will get a feel for what will happen at trial," said Karen Kuebler, the assistant district attorney prosecuting the case.

Kuebler said she anticipates the case will go to trial. Covener could enter a plea any time from today until the delivery of the verdict.

Muir filed a number of motions on Covener's behalf to dismiss the official charges of wiretapping and unlawful use of a computer. Motions also were filed for the suppression of certain statements and evidence, she said.

Depending on when the judge rules on the motions, the case may not go to trial until April, Muir said. A trial would last about two days due to the highly technical information needing to be explained, she said.

Shortly after Covener's arrest, he resigned from his position as USG Senate president.

He said he does not regret his decision to resign because his case would have interfered with his responsibilities as senate president.

"Having seen the direction where the senate is headed this semester, I regret the necessity for my resignation," Covener said. "A lot of people have been disillusioned by my resignation."

Since his departure, Covener cited "severe absences" in the senate and the passing of an elections code "basically the same as the last one" as reasons for his displeasure with the senate's focus.

"They don't really care as much," he said. "It's a shame. The people to blame are those who made up these accusations to get me out."

USG President Caroline Casagrande said she has noticed a more positive change in the senate since Covener's departure.

"The senate is building itself back up," she said. "They are getting along a lot better and coming up with new projects. Second semester is going to be a lot better for the senate."