Judge Stephanie L. Haines, who serves in the U.S. District Court in Johnstown, has granted a continuance in the trial of a Morrisdale man charged with the 2019 bombing death of a Clearfield woman.

Jury selection in Clint Addleman’s trial was scheduled to begin Oct. 27, but Haines this week moved the start date to Dec. 2, partly because Addleman’s defense team complained that federal funding for defense counsel representing indigent defendants under the Criminal Justice Act has not been available due to the budget impasse in Washington.

Attorneys for the defendant complained that funding was needed for an investigator, as well as more time to prepare for the trial.

Addleman’s legal counsel, including Frank C. Walker III of Clairton and Daniel Hutcheson Goldman of Alexandria, Va., requested the continuance following the conviction in August of Houtzdale resident Kris Joseph Nevling, 48, who, it was charged, helped Addleman, 48, build the bomb that killed Shawna Carlson of Clearfield.

The 34-year-old victim allegedly owed $800 in drug money to Addleman.

During the early morning of Oct. 4, 2019, a package was placed on the front porch of Carlson’s apartment in the 300 block of East Market Street, Clearfield.

The package contained an explosive charge that blew up later that morning, killing Carlson.

While the Addleman defense team indicated it needed more time to prepare for the trial, the prosecution attorneys argued against the request.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maureen Sheehan-Balchon, Shaun E. Sweeney and Samantha Stewart contended the defense had an investigator who sat through the Nevling trial, and, they emphasized, the prosecution has provided the evidence to the defense that it intends to present during the Addleman trial.

The prosecution also contended that a long delay would prejudice its case, as well as delay closure for the Carlson family.

The defense requested a six-month continuance.

Haines, in her order resetting the date for the trial, considered the arguments presented by both sides.

She pointed out, “Mr. Addleman’s counsel has … made serious representations about their inability to adequately represent Mr. Addleman in light of current budgetary realities.”

Based on the defense argument, the judge stated an Oct. 27 start date would not be appropriate.

But, she explained, “if the court granted a six-month continuance at this time, the victim’s family will be deprived of an expeditious trial, witnesses’ memories may fade, and certain witnesses who testified during the trial of Mr. Addleman’s co-defendant may be placed in jeopardy.”

She concluded, “Certainly, the interest of the public in a speedy trial requires taking stock of those facts.”

Haines in her order indicated that opening statements in the two-week trial would be presented on Dec. 8.