CLEARFIELD – It took a jury about two hours to reach a decision in murder case against Andrew J. Callahan.
Callahan was on trial for the third time for the murder of Micah Pollock on Nov. 5, 1997 in the Pine Run area of Beccaria Township, Clearfield County.
More specifically, he has been charged with criminal homicide, including murder of both the first and third degrees and involuntary manslaughter. He has also been charged with aggravated assault and abuse of a corpse.
According to prior GantDaily reports, Callahan was twice-convicted for the shooting death of Pollock. He was found guilty of first-degree murder in October 1998.
However, the Pennsylvania Superior Court reversed the initial conviction while a jury question was not answered properly. Callahan stood trial a second time and was found guilty of first-degree murder again in May 2007. That conviction was also overturned.
The jury was charged by Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman at the start of Thursday’s session. Ammerman stressed the differences between first degree murder, third degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. The jury could find Callahan guilty of one of those charges, and one only. For instance, if they decided that Callahan was not guilty of first degree murder, they moved on to third degree murder. If they found him guilty of that charge, then they could not find him guilty of the lesser charge of involuntary manslaughter.
The jury began deliberating at roughly 9:50 a.m. They had a question regarding the difference between first and third degree murder at 11:10 a.m. At 11:50 a.m., they presented their verdict and security was plentiful in the courtroom, with members of the Sheriff’s Department, courthouse security and members of the Clearfield Borough Police Department on hand. And for a third time, Callahan was found guilty of first degree murder, aggravated assault, and abuse of a corpse. Pollock’s family gave sighs of relief, while some in Callahan’s shook their heads.
Ammerman noted that he was ready to proceed with sentencing if there were no objections from the defense or the commonwealth. Ammerman sentenced Callahan to life in state prison without the possbility of parole.
Prior to issuing his sentence, Ammerman announced that he would not allow either the victim’s family or Callahan’s family to comment, which is normally common prior to a sentencing. Ammerman noted that Callahan’s father had gone on the record during his other sentencings.
“It’s just so unfortunate that families on both sides had to go through with this,” said Ammerman.
After the trial, Ron Klotz, Pollock’s father, said he understood why Ammerman made the decision not to allow them to comment, “I could understand what the judge was saying. We did this twice before.”
Klotz said that given the opportunity, he would have asked Callahan how many more times he needs to be convicted.
“For the sake of the families, ours and his, he needs to let it go.”
Klotz said that he’s spoken to different people across the state, and that no one has ever heard of a case coming up three times.
“There needs to be a change in the appeals system. Taxpayers should be enraged too,” added Klotz.
Klotz also went on to discuss his thoughts of Callahan’s testimony on Wednesday. He said that when Callahan testified it made him sick. He also said Callahan’s testimony was well-rehearsed.
He then praised the jury, whom he said did a very good job.
“Bill Shaw did an excellent job,” said Klotz. He also praised Ammerman and the Clearfield County Victim Witness Office for their hard work. “They’re a very vital part of this county.”
“It feels like a relief here today,” said Klotz. “I just hope it ends.”