Jury selection to begin for Houtzdale man accused in explosion
Nevling accused of aiding in creation of bomb that killed Clearfield woman
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The trial of a Houtzdale man who, it is alleged, played a part in making a bomb that exploded and killed a Clearfield woman in October 2019 will begin Monday with jury selection in the Johnstown courtroom of United States District Judge Stephanie L. Haines.
Kris Joseph Nevling, 48, has been charged federally with possession of an unregistered destructive device and conspiracy to maliciously destroy property by explosive as the result of an ongoing investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and state and local police.
According to the charges, Nevling joined with his drug supplier, Clint Addleman, 48, of Morrisdale, in preparing the bomb that killed 34-year-old Shawna Carlson during the morning of Oct. 4, 2019.
Addleman, who presently is in prison serving a state sentence of up to 10 years on drug offenses, faces the same charges as Nevling, along with an additional offense of malicious destruction of property resulting in death.
Carlson lived on the first floor of an apartment building at 327 E. Market St. in Clearfield, and, according to the charges, during the early morning hours, a decorative package was placed on her doorstep.
It appeared to be a birthday present from a friend. The wrapping contained two stars (Carlson's nickname was Star) and the writing on the package stated, "Sorry so late."
It was in reality a package containing a homemade bomb that exploded and caused a fire.
Investigators in examining the victim's remains determined she died as a result of the explosion.
Initially, Nevling and Addleman were to be tried together, but at the request of Addelman's attorney, the judge decided their trials would be separate.
Addleman's trial is slated for late October.
Nevling in statements revealed in pretrial filings contends he had nothing to do with the bomb that caused Carlson's death.
He is being represented by attorneys Adam R. Gorzelsky and Brian D. Aston of Greensburg.
The prosecution is represented by U.S. Attorneys Maureen Sheehan-Balchon from Johnstown and Shaun E. Sweeney and Samantha Stewart of Pittsburgh.
The government in recent weeks has specifically outlined its case while the defense has, in large part, not objected to what is coming during the next two weeks.
The case, as outlined by government attorneys, contends that Addleman, a known drug dealer in the Clearfield area, in the summer of 2019 allegedly fronted Carlson an estimated $800 worth of methamphetamine.
He was angry at her because she did not pay him for the drugs, and the government intends to show through witnesses and Facebook posts that Addleman was making threats toward Carlson.
Nevling, himself an addict, allegedly was witness to some of those threats.
The government will contend that Addleman recruited Nevling to help prepare the bomb and, upon completion, gave him an ounce of methamphetamine and some cash for his efforts.
The government has also received permission from the judge to show the terror that the victim endured and why she refused to pay Addleman.
She admitted to people she was frightened for her life, stating, "I think I am gonna end up dead for real ... I am in tears ... I'm scared."
She blamed Addleman for the death of a friend.
Nevling's defense did not object to the government's requests to present Facebook posts and other evidence of the threats made toward the victim.
It did, however, show concern about some of the graphic photos and video that will show the explosion.
"Mr. Nevling does not dispute that the images in question are relevant, but respectfully asserts the Government has grossly overstated their probative value."
The government "grossly understates" the potential unfair prejudicial impact of showing the jury images of the aftermath of the explosion, the defense contested.
Haines ruled Thursday that the prosecution will be permitted to show the photos to the jury.
Jury selection is expected to begin at 9 a.m. Monday.