Archive - Jan 2012 - News Article

REBERT DAY 8: Jury must decide: Life or death for Rebert

January 27, 2012

Defense: Jurors must also consider prison, not only death

BROOKVILLE — While District Attorney Jeffrey Burkett told the jury that it was “just” in finding Steven P. Rebert guilty in the 2010 shooting deaths of Wayne and Victoria Shugar, defense attorney Michael Marshall asked the jury to also find a “just” verdict during the penalty phase Thursday.

“Again, render a just verdict, and choose not to put Steven to death,” he said.

Burkett tells jurors: He will ask them to impose ‘ultimate penalty’

January 27, 2012

BROOKVILLE — As the penalty phase for Steven P. Rebert began Thursday — two days after he was found guilty of killing Wayne and Victoria Shugar, both 61, in their Coal Tipple Road, Brockway residence in April 2010 — District Attorney Jeffrey Burkett reminded the jury that it’s not all about whether it sends Rebert to prison for the rest of his life, or it sentences him to death.

The phase during which the jury explored Rebert’s innocence or guilt is over: The jury found him guilty of killing the Shugars, Burkett said, “and now, it’s not just about Steven Rebert anymore.

Need weather apparel info? There’s an app for that — from Brookville

January 27, 2012

BROOKVILLE — It might just have been the best kept secret in Brookville.
But as AGLogic continues to serve more than a million users a day from its office space on Main Street, Brookville, its presence can’t be kept secret any longer.

Last January, when AGLogic developed its first app — swackett (sweater, jacket or coat?) — founder and director C. Scott Gilbert never imagined it would grow into the phenomenon it is today.

PSU-DuBois students reflect during local vigil for Joe Paterno

January 26, 2012

DUBOIS — Students at Penn State’s DuBois branch campus joined in the chorus of voices Wednesday, remembering the life and legacy of legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno.

Wednesday afternoon, students took part in a candlelight vigil near the campus Lion Shrine, honoring the memory of JoePa.

Weather Discovery Center welcomes new Hall of Fame inductee

January 26, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — The Punxsutawney Weather Discovery Center is preparing to welcome its ninth inductee into the National Meteorologist Hall of Fame, Fred Gadomski, the host and co-producer of “Weather World,” a 15-minute nightly weather magazine program produced by the Penn State Weather Communications Group.

He will be inducted at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2 — Groundhog Day — at the Weather Discovery Center, Punxsy.

Michaelangelo welcomes former ‘Tonight Show’ writer for Comedy Club Night

January 26, 2012

PUNXSUTAWNEY — Next Wednesday, the Punxsy Elks Club will host its 14th annual comedy night. The show will feature Michaelangelo as emcee and headliner Dan Long.

Long, an Ohio Native, has performed his high-energy act all over the country. A master of impressions, Long performs a spot-on impersonation of Jack Nicholson, Johnny Carson and others.

A former writer for “The Tonight Show,” this veteran of the stand-up comedy scene has performed from coast to coast.

DAY 7 Jury: Rebert guilty on all charges

January 25, 2012

DA: The blood cries out for guilty verdict; jury hears it

BROOKVILLE — In his closing statement of Steven P. Rebert’s double murder trial Tuesday, District Attorney Jeffery Burkett invoked the voice of one of the victims, Wayne Shugar, and asked that the jury hear that voice, as well.

“The blood of Wayne Shugar cries out in this courtroom,” Burkett said, citing evidence that showed four spots of Shugar’s blood on the bottom of Rebert’s work boots.

“Your DNA is the content of your person: It’s responsible for your eye color, your personality, your height,” he said.

Defense: What did you learn from prosecution’s case?

January 25, 2012

BROOKVILLE — During his closing arguments in the seventh day of Steven P. Rebert’s double homicide trial, defense attorney and public defender John Ingros told the jury that it has seen more than 300 exhibits and heard testimony about the victims’ kitchen, knickknacks on the counter, the locations of “every door and window,” the yard, where the vehicles were parked and even an incomplete bedroom on the second floor of their home.

But, Ingros asked, “Are you any closer to helping you decide” Rebert’s innocence or guilt. “What did you really learn?

Police seek whereabouts of Reynoldsville man

January 25, 2012

BROOKVILLE — A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Jorden M. Bogacki, 27, Reynoldsville, on escape charges.

According to Jefferson County jail Warden Tom Elbel, Bogacki was sentenced to 45 days of jail time to be served on weekends in 48-hour periods.

However, Bogacki failed to report to the jail Friday, Jan. 20, and has not been located since, Adult Probation Officer Adam Oakes said.

According to Oakes, Bogacki works in the area and has served several hours of his jail time so far.

State police have been notified, and warrants have been issued for him.

DAY 6: Defense, prosecution rest their cases

January 24, 2012

BROOKVILLE — Both sides in Steven Rebert’s double homicide trial rested their cases Monday following a week of testimony at the Jefferson County Courthouse.

The Commonwealth seeks the death penalty in the case in which Rebert, formerly of Emporium, faces double homicide charges in the shooting deaths of Victoria and Wayne Shugar, both 61, who were found dead April 12, 2010, in their Coal Tipple Road home, Brockway.

Monday, public defender John Ingros, representing Rebert, called to the stand Stephen Buttering, Brockway, who testified that he was home the night of April 10, 2010.