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Jury deliberates Mazer’s fate; verdict due todayBY BILL NEILTimes Staff WriterAn Adams County jury was sent home at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday after failing to reachverdict on burglary charges against a 20-year-old Gettysburg ifean who says he had no involvement in the crimes which came tb be known as the “Fire Extinguisher Burglaries.”.But President Judge Oscar Spicer told the jurors'to reportback this morning to try again before he declares the proceedings, which began Tuesday, a mistrial.I “We have an obligation to try tp see this through,” said the jjidge. “I realize you’ve all had a long day and have a lot to consider here. We’ll try again tomorrow.”The judge's decision followed £-1/2 hours of deliberations. g Under discussion were numerous charges filed against Joseph Brian Mazer by state and Cumberland Township police.Cows-Spicer spent nearly two hours Wednesday explaining the subtle differences between the charges, which he himself described as “complex.”The jury did reach verdicts on some of the charges; they were placed in sealed envelopes and impounded until today.Police charge that Mazer, along with at least two other young men, was involved in nine break-ins of businesses last February, Most of the damage occurred when the burglars discharged fire extinguishers throughout the buildings in an attempt to cover up any evidence.In all, 15 such burglaries werecommitted, resulting in more than $42,000 worth of damage.Three Gettysburg men have since pleaded guilty for their roles in the crimes. William Cartzendafner and Bradley Allen Shultz are to be sentenced next week, and could get up to 150 years behind bars. Bradley Strausbaugh pleaded guilty toonly two counts of theft, and was sentenced to 24 months in an Intermediate Punishment Program.Mazer and his attorney, Thomas Campbell, maintain that Mazer was not involved, and was named by Cartzendafner and Shultz in the hopes that they would receive a lighter sentence for their cooperation.“I don’t even know why we’re here. There’s no real evidence, or physical proof linking Joey to these crimes,” Campbell told jurors during his closing argument.The attorney questioned thepolice procedures used during their investigation in March, and noted*that a police search of Mazer’s bedroom failed to turn up any evidence. Tools of crime including gloves, masks, pry bars, flashlights and stolen property were discovered at the homes of the two men who accused Mazer, Campbell noted.Addressing Shultz’s surprise change of testimony the day before, when he said Mazer was not involved in the crime spree — after telling police on three prior occasions that Mazer had been present — Campbell stressed that the second version was more believable.“It’s only human nature to falsely accuse someone else to help yourself,” he said, observing that Shultz himself acknowledged the earlier untruths Tuesday, saying he had been a victim of “trapped rat syndrome” when police questioned him.Furthermore, Campbell called Shultz’s statement on the witness stand that he (Shultz) wanted to take responsibility for his own acts “courageous.” District Attorney Michael George told the jurors that it all comes down to who they believe;Cartzendafner preceded Shultz by saying that Mazer had indeed been involved on nine occasions.Exhibiting photographs showing the damage at the victimized shops, George said: “Their ego wanted them to leave a mark — *we did this and we’re proud of it.’” _Citing testimony of other witnesses who said they overheard conversations or saw things leading them to believe Mazer was a participant, George said there was sufficient evidence to convict.Rally(Continued from Page Al)“We have come to the end of the rope,” said Cole, who spearheaded legislation while in office to raise $145,000 for restoration of the Pennsylvania Memorial 12 years ago.“They didn’t take care of it,” Cole said when asked why the structure needs more work.He also said the Park Service still has funds in an escrow account set up as part of the 1985 restoration effort.WLEAF PICK-UPStraban Township will be picking up BAGGED leaves in the communities of Twin Oaks and Hazelbrook Hills. Any other resident of Straban Township wishing to have their leaves picked up must contact the office at 334-4833, 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.The leaf pick-up will occur
Newspaper Details
Gettysburg Times
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, US
Thu, Oct 23, 1997
Page 19
Full Page
Clipped by
Jessica D.
PA, USA 06 Mar 2022
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