Motion postpones assault trial
The trial of a Penn State student accused of attacking two women in their dorms and one in an apartment building stairwell last year has been delayed because of a pending motion.
David Cassada, 22, of Cheswick, is charged with burglary, trespassing, reckless endangerment, simple assault, terroristic threats, theft and harassment.
Cassada's attorney, William Stockey, filed a motion Dec. 29 asking that Cassada's statements to police and physical evidence seized from Cassada's apartment not be admitted at trial. A hearing was held on Feb. 16 regarding the motion, but Centre County Judge Thomas Kistler delayed making a decision until after a transcript of the hearing is completed and both sides have had the opportunity to file briefs.
Centre County Assistant District Attorney Steve Sloane said trial will probably be delayed until at least the June term of court.
Police investigate downtown graffiti
Seven incidents of graffiti were reported Tuesday morning, State College police said.
The graffiti was found on trash receptacles, traffic control boxes, traffic signs and light poles, Sgt. Chris Fishel said. The locations included 538 E. College Ave., 112 Hetzel St., 250 S. Allen St., West College Avenue and two incidents on South Burrowes Street, police said. Fishel said all the incidents are new, but it was unclear if they are related. He said the investigation is continuing.
Legal counsel change delays rape trial
The trial for a Maryland man accused of raping a Penn State student was postponed until May because of a change in the defendant's legal counsel.
Brian M. Conway, 21, of Bethesda, Md., is charged with rape, sexual assault and aggravated indecent assault in connection with an incident involving a Penn State student on Oct. 9, 2005, in Park Hill Apartments, 478 E. Beaver Ave., according to court documents. Conway's former lawyer, David Ohanesian, said he no longer represents Conway and would not comment further. Attorney Joseph Amendola said he picked up the case and asked for the continuance to allow him preparation time. He added Conway changed counsel because he saw that it was "in his best interest."
Conway's trial is tentatively set for May 10 and 11, Centre County Assistant District Attorney Lance Marshall said.
Conway told State College police in July that he believed the sex was consensual and there was "mutual touching," according to court documents. The alleged victim told police she attended a party in Park Hill and passed out, but awoke to a man on top of her engaging in vaginal intercourse, according to court documents. She told police she could not stop him because she was too intoxicated. DNA shows Conway's semen matched a sample on the alleged victim's pants and underwear, according to court documents.
Student arrested on marijuana charges
A Penn State student was arraigned yesterday after dealing marijuana to State College police on three separate occasions, according to court documents. Warren John Martin, 19, of Pimpton Lakes, N.J., sold undercover cops $210 worth of marijuana between Dec. 12 and Jan. 26, police said. In the first incident, police said he sold the marijuana from inside his dormitory, 416 Pinchot Hall. He also sold officers marijuana inside the Pollock Undergraduate Library and at Phi Kappa fraternity, 338 E. Fairmount Ave., according to court documents.
He is being held on $60,000 bail -- $20,000 for each of the three cases -- and his preliminary hearing is set for next Wednesday.
