The Houtzdale man convicted last month for his part in the 2019 bombing death of Shawna Carlson of Clearfield has filed a federal petition seeking a new trial.

Kris Joseph Nevling, 48, was found guilty by a jury of seven women and five men of possessing an unregistered explosive device and conspiracy to maliciously destroy property by explosion or fire that resulted in death.

Carlson, 34, lived in an apartment building on the 300 block of East Market Street, Clearfield, in October 2019 and, according to the testimony during the two-week trial, she owed $800 to a known drug dealer, Clint Addleman, 48, of Morrisdale.

The testimony indicated she was under pressure from Addleman to repay a drug debt and that she feared Addleman would harm her.

During the early morning of Oct. 4, a video from a nearby residence showed someone putting a package on the porch of her apartment.

The package exploded later that morning.

Federal authorities charged that Nevling aided Addleman in constructing the bomb and the two were arrested.

Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Stephanie L. Haines ruled that the suspects were to be tried separately, with the Nevling trial to begin in August and the Addleman trial to begin in late October.

Nevling was represented by Greensburg attorneys Adam R. Gorzelsky and Brian D. Aston in his recent trial.

However, it was Nevling, acting on his own behalf, who just last week filed a handwritten petition seeking a new trial.

He claims in his petition that the verdicts returned by the jury were “contrary to the evidence, contrary to the law, and contrary to the law and the evidence.”

He found fault with the pretrial decision by Haines denying his request to fire his legal counsel.

He also complained that his defense counsel did not file any pretrial motions to challenge the evidence.

“Other than the defendant, not one witness was called by said attorney,” Nevling’s petition stated.

“Defendant is innocent,” he concluded.

The government responded quickly to the Nevling petition, asking that it be dismissed.

The government’s answer was submitted by Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti and the three assistant U.S. attorneys who tried the case: Maureen Sheehan-Balchon, Shaun E. Sweeney and Samantha Stewart.

The government argues that a defendant has no right to “hybrid representation,” which means he cannot represent himself while he also is being represented by defense counsel.

The government attorneys suggested the court grant Nevling additional days (he had a deadline of 14 days to seek a new trial) to decide if he wants to represent himself in his appeal or if his trial attorneys are to represent him.

If that question is not resolved by Sept. 24, then the judge should dismiss his petition, the government argued.

Haines ruled in favor of the government, stating that Nevling “has no right to hybrid representation, meaning that he is not permitted to make arguments and file motions both through himself and through counsel.”

She gave Nevling until Sept. 24 to clarify the issue.

Meanwhile, preparations continued for the Addleman trial.

His attorneys, Frank C. Walker of Clairton and Daniel Hutchison Goldman of Alexandria, Va., filed multiple requests for information from the prosecution as to what it will attempt to prove.

The defense wanted to know if any deals have been offered to possible government witnesses and requested any prior testimony from those witnesses, as well as seeking police notes written during the investigative phase of the case.

In recent discussions concerning the Addleman trial, Haines indicated she was confident the attorneys for the defense and prosecution could resolve among themselves questions concerning the evidence.

The defense had requested a hearing to challenge the affidavits of probable cause filed by the government in the issuance of search warrants, but that request was withdrawn.

Both defendants face sentences of life behind bars.

Nevling’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for January.