The Gettysburg Times du lieu suivant : Gettysburg, Pennsylvania • Page 1

Gettysburg Times 300 THURSDAY GETTYSBURG, PA, MAY 18, 1989 VOL. 87, NO. 117 'Mountain Man' gets life without parole By ROBERT HOLT Tunes Staff Writer Stephen Roy Carr showed no emotion Wednesday as Adams County President Judge Oscar F. Spicer condemned him to spend the rest of his life in prison for the shooting death of a Virginia woman. The tall, lanky Carr listened silently as Judge Spicer issued a life sentence without parole during the half-hour proceeding in courtroom No.

1 at the county courthouse in Gettysburg. "No sir," were Carr's only words, spoken after Spicer asked if the 29-year-old man had any statement when called to the bench to hear his sentence. Carr became known as the "Mountain Man" after firing 22-caliber rifle shots that killed Rebecca P. Wight, 28, of Blacksburg, and seriously wounded Claudia T. Brenner, 32, of Ithaca, N.Y., on May 13, 1988.

The attack on the two women occurred during their backpack trip through Franklin Township on a section of the Appalachian Trail in the Michaux State Forest, where Carr had wandered for two years. Carr was sentenced Wednesday for his Oct. 27 first-degree murder conviction in a non-jury trial before Spicer. The life sentence was negotiated in a pre-trial agreement court-appointed defense attorney Michael George sought from the prosecution. In that compromise, county District Attorney Roy A.

Keefer agreed to drop a death penalty request, as well as hold in abeyance attempted murder and aggravated assault chai-ges against Carr. Carr's clean appearance was a sharp contrast to his scraggly, longhair "Mountain Man" appearance when arrested by the state police after an 11-day manhunt by the state police. He wore a brown checked shirt under his blue prison jumpsuit, his scarred face clean-shaved and his reddish brown hair neatly trimraed. While Carr was silent, both Ms. Brenner and Ms.

Wights father, Leon Wight of Alexandria, attended the sentencing with family and friends, and asked to read their victim impact statements into the record before Spicer imposed the sentence- Victim impact statements are usually submitted to the court in writing and used in the sentencing process. Carr watched silently from his Erin Havens pleads not guilty to murder By ROBERT HOLT Times Staff Writer Erin E. Havens pleaded not guilty Thursday to the Valentine's Day stabbing death of her boyfriend Randal S. Kaufman in Aspers. Without making a personal appearance in Adams County Court, Ms.

Havensrequested a jury trial. County District Attorney Roy A. Keefer told President Judge Oscar F. Spicer, that Ms. Havens entered her plea before the court's regular arraignment session.

Ms. Havens, 20, of 1787 Centre MiEs Road, Aspers, is charged with first- and third-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter for the death of Kaufman, 28, ofthe same address, and formerly of Kutztown. Keefer told the Gettysburg Times that Ms. Havens and her attorney met with him at his courthouse office in the morning before he appeared in court. She is currently free after posting $10,000 cash on $100,000 bail on May 4.

Before that, she had been held at the Cumberland County jail for the month and a half following Kaufman's death. When bail was posted, Havens' attorney, J. Christian Ness of York, told Spicer that the young woman would be living with her uncle Franklin Williams of Paradise Township in York County. According to police reports, Kaufman was fatally injured in an 8:30 p.m. incident at the second- floor apartment he shared with Ms.

Havens. At 8:41 p.m. Adams County Control reported receiving a call from unidentified woman stating that someone had been stabbed, and claiming she had been attacked and stabbed her assailant. Bendersville Community Fire Co. medics responded to the scene and found Kaufman's body in the alcove ofthe couple's apartment in an old farmhouse- Ms.

Havens reportedly told the fire company squad that she found Kaufman in bed when she arrived home, and was attempting to carry the man outside to a truck when he fell and struck his head- State police investigators TMho responded to the call said they observed a puncture wound in (See STABBING, Page 3A) Gettysburg spring concert Friday ETTYSBURG The Gettysburg Senior High School Chorus and Concert Choir "will present their annual Spring Concert on Friday evening, May 19. The Senior High Chorus, directed by Nora M. Jacobs, win sing "Flying Free" by Besig, The-Rose" from the movie The Rose" arranged by Nowak, Theme From New York, New York" arranged by Metis, "Youll Never Walk Alone" arranged by Johnny Mann, and "I Dreamed a Dream 3 from the broadway musical "Lea Miserables" arranged by Lojeski. The Concert Choir, also under the direction of Nora M. Jacobs, will sing To Everything There is a Season" by Harris, "My Gentle Harp" arranged by Alice Parker, "El Shaddai" arranged by Lojeski, "It Is a Precious Thing" arranged by Dickinson, for the broadway musical Cats" arranged fay Lojeski, and "Lake An Eagle" by Strommen.

Featured senior and junior soloists include Kenny Knox, Heather Rippman, Georgie Wetmore, Meredith Megles, and Peter Couchman. During the concert, senior members will be honored, and the winners of the ''Who's Who in Music" will be announced. The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. and is free to the public. Ann Landers Business Court News- Deaths 6 9 A 6 A 2 A Fire, police 3 A Lottery 3 A Sports 1-4 Star Tracking 9 A.

Television 8A Weather 2 A An Apple A Day Farm MkL Garden Bedding Plants, Azaleas, Geraniums, Hanging Baskets. Daily 8-8 (Adv.) GOING OUT OF BUSINESS OFF. Marlene's Arts Crafts, 168 Carlisle Gettysburg. P.M.; Sat P.M. (Adv.) Memorial Day Savings At The Hitching Post.

Selected Spring Summer Sportswear Off. (Adv.) The Hitching Posfs Memorial Day Selected Spring Summer Sportswear Off! (Adv.) seat at the defense table as Ms. Brenner, a short, dark-haired woman, spoke before the bench. Though she remained composed, Ms. Brenner's voice was laden with emotion as she recalled walking three miles for help before finding a passing motorist on the Shippensburg Road: "I wish that the inconceivable pain and horror I experienced were fears with no basis in reality, that the sound of shots, that shattering reality in my mind, was a bad dream from which I could awaken," she said.

She recalled the injuries that the bullets fired from Carr's rifle caused to her arm, head, face and neck. "Every time I feel my cheek, my teeth, my heart, I know that I have been permanently harmed, that my right to peaceful life and freedom has been Ms. Brenner said. In the statement, Ms. Brenner, who has returned to Ithaca, N.Y., to work for an architectural firm, cited her difficulty of enduring a legal process that gained widespread attention from the media.

She also criticized an attempt by Carr's attorney to exploit her rela- (See MURDER, Page 3A) UFE IN PRISON Stephen Roy Carr, shown left as he appeared, at the Adams County- Courthouse last July, was sentenced to life in. Times photos by Bill Schwartz prison with, no possibility of parole Wednesday. Carr, shown at right after he was arrested last May, has become known as the "Mountain Man." Victim recalls 'blood, pain, death' Claudia T-Brenner recapped how her life was "shattered by blood, pain and death 1 in a. victimimpact statement presented Wednesday at the sentencing of Stephen Roy Carr in Adams County Court. Ms.

Brenner, 32, of Ithaca, N.Y., was seriously wounded in a May 13, 1988, ambush on the Appalachian Trail. Carr used a-22-capber rifle, and Rebecca Wight, 28, ofBlacksb-org, was fatally wounded. Carr was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without parole for the first-degree murder of Ms. Wight. Here are excerpts of Ms.

Brenner's statement: Twish rdidnothave tomake this statement. I wistthatmy experiences in Adams County, Pennsylvania, had ended, as planned on May, that Sefceccaandlweremakingplansfor where we wanted tojbike and Backpack this summer. wish thsi Sieinconcavable pain and horror! experienced were fears with.no basisiii reality, that the sotmdsof shots, that shattering reality in my dream: iroiri wHen I c6lflfi Swaken. Twisli Xdidn'thsye Uieiasmoryofmy aris exploding, myblood on the tarp, and each insfantfibat ledto the horror of the realization that Rebecca would not be able to walk away from the campsite with me. For it was a realization: Rebecca did not die instantly.

She bled to death. She struggled to breaiie. "Every tame Ifeel my cheek, my teeth, my neck, my hearty 1 know 1 have been permanently harmed, that my right to peaceful life and freedom has been violated. know now that a peaceful afternoon with my lover on a warm spring day can be shattered by and death. I know how the very concept of murder can become part of a person's daily life, the subject of telephone conversations with my mother, the topic of discussion with my friends, the constant intruder in my thoughts.

"In addition to coming to terms with the murder ofRebecca and the attempt to Mll-me, I have had to reconcile myself to the impact ofthe court system and the publicity surrounding it. When! encounter people asaprofessional or pri- vacy of my own tragedy. "The quality and quantity of media coverage has deprived me ofthe option of relative anonymity. I wish that Mr. Michael George had found away of defending his client that did not attempt to blame the victims, that did not add sensationalism for the media to exploit, that did not augment the pain I had already endured through the vicious and murderous actions of his client.

The events of May 13 are known. I am thankful that the court system substantiates the truth of a completely unprovoked and pointless murder. The impact ofthe events continue to be felt. At one level, I am furious. I am outraged that Stephen Roy Carr, for whatever personal reasons, violently imposed his will on my life.

"I am angry that our victimization could be portrayed by the defense attorney in inflammatory and distorted terms and that he would attempt to exploit the fact that we had a lesbian relationship. I atn still shocked not only at the p'srsotial loss I suffered with Rebecca's death but at the loss of a gifted young professional. My life has been altered irreparably and I know I will always be inconsolate abouc Rebecca's death and a future I will never have with her. "It is through tremendous effort, remarkable support and assistance that I can speak as a healthy individual today. I did not heal by myself.

I healed and continue to heal because people helped me. My friends stayed with me 24 hours a day and all my physical, spiritual and emotional needs were taken seriously. only my friends but also peopl who barely knew me and strangers who did not know me at all responded with warmth and outrage- It is only because of these responses that I have managed to heal. The only antidote to the horror ofthe shootinghas been the incredible kindness that I have received since that time and the realization ofthe appropriate conclusion to the court proceedings. Even now, I find the events unreal sometimes.

I am still shocked. I am still frightened. I am still outraged. And Iknow I am not alone in these feelings." 1 Commissioners OK computer system contract The Adams County Commissioners Wednesday approved a contract to install a new computer system for the clerk of courts office in the county courthouse in Gettysburg. A decision on the matter was made during the commissioners weekly meeting at their courthouse office after it was tabled last week.

The board tabl ed itbecause President Commissioner Thomas L. Collins had to leave that meeting before the matter came up for a vote. The $25,400 contract awarded to Tridata Corp. of Allentown is for the installation of the computer system in county Clerk of Courts Peggy J- Breighner's office. Included in the contract is hardware, software and installation and maintenance.

Currently Breighner's staff shares a computer system with the domestic relations office. The commissioners took the action in the hopes of free up service time on the existing system for the domestic relations staff and reduce an overload of record handling by the clerk of court's staff. The system is expected to become operational some time this summer and programming it will require closing the office for about a half day. In other business, the commissioners approved liquid fuel applications of $1,212.60 for Berwick Township, $2,641.80 for Butler Township, $2,197.70 to Conewago Township, $885.40 for Freedom Township, $970.10 for Highland Township and $2,556.20 to Menal- len Township. The MR-Residential Care contract with Shadowfax Corp.

for 1989-90 was revised to show a total budget limit of $55,744. Also approved was a request by county emergency management Director Richard Ketterman to hire Kenneth R. Beard Jr. as a part-time dispatcher, retroactive to last Monday. McS DER's By MARSHALL D.

BLACK Tones Staff Writer McSherrystown Mayor Thomas J. Weaver told Department of Environmental Resources officials Wednesday evening that he hopes that the state agency's final decision on the Keystone Landfill expansion permit will not be based on politics. At a special meeting, which was closed to the public, and held at the borough office in McSherrystown, the mayor, some members of borough council and tvro area elected officials questioned Robert Benvin and Steven Socash, both from the bureau of waste management's division of permits, on the future of the Keystone Landfill. Sandra J. Rodeerick, DER community relations coordinator, also attended the meeting and answered some questions.

Mayor Weaver began the meeting by explaining to the state officials that DER Secretary Arthur A. Davis informed State Rep. Kenneth J. Cole in aletter written in 1988 that the final decision on the expansion permit would be made by nolater than the end of 1988. But the decision on the permit was delayed by the state agency.

Mr. Benvin responded by saying that he believes that Secretary Davis eyed the end of 1988 as a "target date rather than a goal, rather than a firm commitment." He also said that another reason for the delay on the decision was the fact that DER began implementing the Solid Waste Management Act in April of 1988, which among other things required all municipal waste landfills throughout the state to have double liners. Shortly after Act 101 was implemented, Keystone Sanitation Co. had to resubmit another expansion permit application to DER. The first application permit was submitted to the state agency in 1985.

In beginning the hour-long discussion on the fate of the landfill, Mayor Weaver asked the DER officials point blank if the final decision "will be based on environmental factors or will it be based on political factors." Mr. Benvin said that "I think the decision will be based on the application that was submitted, the data that they submitted and the site." The DER official repeated Secretary Davis' statement last week to the Gettysburg Times that the final decision on the proposed 211-acre Keystone Landfill expansion permit in Union Township will be made on or before July. The landfill reportedly is about 96 percent filled and could be completely filled up by the summer. Mayor Weaver talked about the meeting that was held in February of this year between a small group of activists from the Hano-ver area, Gov. Robert P.

Casey and Secretary Davis, saying that what the group said about the landfill site does riot reflect the way the majority ofthe people in the area feel on the subject. "Most of the people in our area feel that if this is going to be safe for the environment, then it should be approved without any overtones, politically or otherwise," the mayor said. The mayor said that hp doesn't consider the group that met with high state officials saying that the only thing environmentally that they: are focusing on is the landfill site- He said that he believes that the group ''greazly misled Gov. Casey and Secretary Davis" 7 in regard to the landfill expansion issue, saying that there is no other alternative for the borough to get rid of its garbage if the expansion permit is denied. "Right now there are a lot of things in the wind, with the Hanover Borough, with the York County landfill.

Quite frankly, hauling our garbage to York County would just be astronomical costs," the mayor said. Ms. Rodeerick told the concerned mayor and other elected officials that when the state agency does a technical review of an application, that there really is no overri ding vote on the issue when it comes to the public having overriding influence on the final decision. The citizens may be opposed to it, but that doesn't change our decision, one way or the other." she said Mayor Weaver once again told the DER officials at the special meeting that he would like to meet with Gov. Casey and Secretary Davis He further stated that if the meeting could not be arranged once again, that he hopes that the officials will take his message back and relay it to the high state officials.

Shortly after the activists met with the governor and the DER secretary earlier this year, Weaver requested to meet with them, but the meeting never came about. Jacque Hoffman, East Berlin Borough Council President, told the DER officials that he can't see how the final decision on the landfill could be based on anything but politics. "I can't see how you can sit there and tell us that in 1985, the first permit was asked for and then they (DER) upgraded the regulations. How in the world can this thing keep being put off?" Mr. Hoffman said.

Mr. Hoffman asked Mr. Benvin, "Is Keystone meeting your consent order? Is the proposed site acceptable?" Benvin responded by saying that the state agency's operating staff is monitoring the consent agreement and "that's what we're reviewing right now.".