Local News

Clearfield men appeal sentences in bombing

Addleman, Nevling both sentenced to life in prison for roles in death of Carlson

Two Clearfield County men sentenced recently to life in prison for the bombing death of 34-year-old Shawna Carlson have filed appeals with the U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie L. Haines in Johnstown on July 22 sentenced Clint Addleman, 49, of Morrisdale and Kris Nevling, 49, of Houtzdale to life behind bars after juries in separate trials convicted the men of having conspired to kill Carlson because she allegedly owed $1,000 on a drug debt to Addleman.

Carlson lived in an apartment on East Market Street in downtown Clearfield.

She expressed her fears via Facebook and in person that Addleman would take her life in view of the debt she owned him.

Investigators charged the threat became reality on Oct. 4, 2019, when Nevling placed a box on Carlson's doorstep -- disguised as a belated birthday present.

When Carlson took the package inside her home and opened it, an explosion occurred, killing her and setting fire to her apartment.

Trial testimony indicated that Nevling eventually told investigators he made the bomb for Addleman using four to six pounds of gun powder as the explosive.

A combined effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Pennsylvania State Police, the Clearfield Regional Police Department and the Allegheny County Sheriff's office led to the arrests of Addleman and Nevling.

Haines over the last year presided over their separate trials.

Both men were convicted of conspiracy to maliciously destroy property by explosion or fire, and possession of an unregistered firearm/destructive device.

In addition, Addleman was convicted of malicious destruction of property by explosion or fire, resulting in death.

Nevling, during the recent sentencing hearing, continued to deny having anything to do with Carlson's death. Addleman did not speak during the July hearing.

Court records indicate that both men have filed appeals with the Third Circuit.

Those appeals are not open to public view.

However, prior to sentencing, Addleman's attorney, Frank C. Walker of Clairton, asked Haines to vacate his conviction, contending the prosecution's case rested on testimony by fellow inmates who discussed the case with Addleman and who served as confidential informants for the government.

Walker in his petition argued the prosecution testimony linking Addleman to the Carlson death was unreliable.

In her dismissal of the defendant's pre-sentence petition, Haines stated, "Here, based on the evidence before it, the jury's conclusion that Mr. Addleman committed the offenses at Counts I, II and III, was clearly rational, as was its conclusion that the government had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that a person was killed as a direct and proximate cause of the explosion."

Nevling's appeal was filed a week ago by his attorney, William C. Kaczynski of Pittsburgh.

The appeal is restricted and can be viewed only by court staff, according to the court record.