Area resident not guilty of riot-related charges

BELLEFONTE -- State College resident Joshua N. Snow was found not guilty by a jury yesterday on charges of failure to disperse and disorderly conduct, Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar said. The charges stem from the July 12 riot.

Snow's attorney, James Bryant, said he was nervous about defending Snow because it was one of the few times he had defended someone who was innocent.

"When you're defending someone who's innocent, it's scary as hell," Bryant said, adding he is relieved about the outcome.

Several witnesses testified, including two police officers who were at the scene and Snow himself.

Bryant said most of the testimonies said Snow was not a participant in the riot, and was even trying to tell police to gain control of it.

"It was a case that never should've gotten as far as it did," Bryant said.

--by Susie Xu