Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said yesterday that he will not be seeking the death penalty against a State College man who is accused of beating a Penn State student to death last February.

Andrew A. Rogers, of 224 Nimitz Ave., is still facing first- and third- degree murder charges for placing a garbage bag over the victim's head and beating him with a bottle and baseball bat.

Madeira has spent the last six months trying to prove that Rogers had intended to rob the victim, Youngcheol Park, 24, prior to the homicide. An aggravating circumstance, such as the intention of robbery, would have fulfilled the requirement to seek the death penalty.

"We can't prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the homicide was committed because of intent to commit robbery," Madeira stated.

Rogers' attorney, Deborah Lux, said that this development won't have a significant effect on her case because Rogers is claiming self-defense, but is glad to not have the "ultimate punishment" as an option.

Rogers will have his pre-trial hearing on Sept. 14. Check Monday's Collegian for the full story.