Defense attorneys are hopeful that newly released evidence related to the beating to death of a Penn State student will shed light on whether a third person played a role in the incident.

The commonwealth will release 13 pieces of evidence related to the death of Youngcheol Park, 24, who was fatally beaten in a borough home in February. Documents indicate that the evidence includes video surveillance of Park and Andrew Rogers, the man charged in Park's murder, at the Corner Minit Mart before the incident, Chief Public Defender David Crowley said.

Rogers, who is facing first- and third-degree murder charges, is accused of placing a garbage bag over Park's head and beating him to death with a bottle and baseball bat on Feb. 23. He has said he was acting in self-defense.

The video, which reportedly shows Rogers and Park making purchases together in the Corner Minit Mart, 106 N. Atherton St., may shed light on the existence of "Sweet" -- an unidentified individual allegedly involved in the fight between Rogers and Park, Crowley said.

Crowley said the video footage -- which he hasn't yet watched -- may provide an image of "Sweet" and help enforce Rogers' claim that Park's death was self-defense. Crowley said if "Sweet" is present in the film it may prove a plot between Park and "Sweet" against Rogers.

Crowley added that because the video reportedly shows Rogers and Park using their own debit cards to make purchases, it proves Rogers didn't need money and was not attempting to steal from Park prior to the fight -- a motive the prosecution has not ruled out.

Although Rogers is no longer charged with robbery, Crowley said the prosecution has mentioned using robbery in their case against Rogers.

"We're just covering our own bases," he said.

Centre County District Attorney Michael Madeira said while the prosecution is not dismissing robbery playing a role in Park's death, it does not have a clear-cut case to prove Rogers was attempting to steal from Park.

Crowley said he and Assistant Public Defender Casey McClain are also seeking copies of 12 other pieces of evidence, including blood splatter tests and analysis, a voice message Rogers left on his roommate's cell phone and handwritten notes taken by officers at the scene.

"Strategy-wise, you can't get much from the commonwealth," he said, "but they have to turn over tangible stuff."

Crowley said he wants most of the evidence to confirm information.

"Ninety percent is just to confirm stuff we already know, but we want to confirm before we get to trial," he said.

Madeira said he is working on gathering the requested evidence for Crowley.

"This is evidence that we've known is there and are going to use or not use, but [giving it to the defense] is not going to change our presentation of the case," Madeira said. "It is routine, and they're doing their job; they have a right to view it."

Crowley said the discovery report was about 1,000 pages. He added that they are hoping to receive their requests in a couple weeks.

Rogers' trial is tentatively scheduled for mid-January.