CLEARFIELD – A Woodland man accused of the murdering Chase Anderson of Curwensville was in court again Tuesday.
Denny Scott Bailey, 39, was charged in April with criminal homicide, kidnap to inflict terror, conspiracy and related charges in connection with Anderson’s death.
Anderson was reported missing by his mother in August of 2017, but the investigation took a sad turn after Kenja Kasheem Tew, 23, allegedly made comments to witnesses that Anderson was “not coming back.”
Once Tew was in custody, he led police to Anderson’s burnt body in a wooded part of Pike Township.
Testimony at the preliminary hearing revealed that Tew and Bailey lured Anderson to the remote area and then fought with him. Each of them claimed the other stabbed Anderson and burned the body.
Anderson suffered multiple stab wounds, his throat was slit and his nose was fractured, according to testimony from former County Coroner Mike Morris.
On Tuesday a motion for the substitution of counsel in Bailey’s case was discussed before President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman.
Joseph Ryan, who is representing Bailey, stated that his co-counsel, Robert Bell of Indiana, has not been able to help him.
Ryan explained this is his first capital case and he needs someone with experience to guide him. Since Bell was unable to provide assistance, Ryan said he contacted DuBois Attorney Gary Knaresboro.
Bailey also has concerns about Bell, Ryan said. Bailey complained that he has never gotten any correspondence from Bell and has not even met him.
Ryan asked that Bell be removed from the case and Knaresboro be appointed as co-counsel in his place.
District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. voiced his opposition to this, claiming this was a “delay tactic” and “game playing.” He speculated that the defense will now say they need more time and ask to delay jury selection in this case, which is currently scheduled for Aug. 8.
Ryan defended his position saying, when he needed help filing previous motions, Bell was not available but Knaresboro was able to help.
“This is not a delay tactic,” Ryan said, adding that he is only trying to do the best for his client.
When contacted via phone, Bell stated that he had no objection to being replaced. Ammerman then granted the motion to remove him from the case.
Turning his attention to replacing Bell, Ammerman asked Knaresboro if he would have enough time to put into this defense with his other responsibilities. Knaresboro said yes, adding that if he didn’t, he wouldn’t take the case.
Knaresboro was then appointed as co-counsel for Bailey.
Others charged in this case including Tew, are Chantell Demi and Joseph Ralston. All of their cases are still pending with Demi agreeing to cooperate with the prosecution.
