A State College man was found guilty this week of delivering illegal drugs to the Thornbury home where a young man was strangled to death three years ago.
F. Bruce Covington, 59, faces up to 12 years in prison and a fine of $107,500 when he is sentenced next month. He remains free on $2,500 cash bail pending his sentencing.
In September 2006, Covington brought crystal methamphetamine and gamma hydroxybutrate acid to the home of William F. Smithson. Shortly thereafter, Jason Shephard, a coworker of Smithson, was strangled to death inside the home.
In December 2008, Smithson was convicted of first-degree murder for Shephard’s death and sentenced to life imprisonment. Prosecutors say Smithson strangled Shephard, 23, while trying to rape him.
However, supporters of Smithson say Covington’s actions haven’t been adequately investigated. They’re hoping Smithson will get a new trial, which would include a thorough probe into the actions of Covington.
On Sept. 9, Covington had a one-day bench trial on the drug charges. He also was charged with making false statements to police when he allegedly lied about his whereabouts on the night of Shephard’s death.
But Delaware County Common Pleas Judge James F. Nilon Jr. dismissed that charge because the statute of limitations had expired when Covington was charged.
Nilon announced the guilty verdicts during a separate proceeding Sept. 15.
Daniel Hall, a friend of Smithson, testified Sept. 9 that Covington brought crystal meth and GHB to the Smithson home about seven or eight times in the 18 months prior to Shephard’s death.
But defense attorney Steven C. Leach argued there was no credible testimony that Covington went to the Smithson residence on the evening of Sept. 18, 2006, to deliver illicit drugs to anyone.
Leach conceded that Covington had a vial of GHB in a duffle bag that he brought into Smithson’s house. But Leach said Covington fell asleep in the basement and didn’t deliver drugs to anyone.
When Covington awoke, he noticed that less GHB was inside the vial than the amount he had brought to the residence — but Covington didn’t know where the missing GHB went, Leach said.
Leach also said Hall allegedly told police that Smithson took responsibility for giving GHB to Shephard prior to his death.
But advocates for Smithson, 44, point out that Hall’s tape-recorded statement to the police has been lost. And they’ve disputed the accuracy of the transcribed notes.
“I have no reason to think the transcription isn’t accurate,” Leach said after the trial.
At most, he added, prosecutors proved Covington merely possessed illegal drugs on Sept. 19, 2006 — not that he intended to deliver those drugs to anyone.
Assistant District Attorney Thomas F. Lawrie said it was Covington’s practice to bring illegal drugs to “sex parties” that he attended, for distribution to other participants. “[Covington] spreads the wealth around,” Lawrie said.
He added there was no reason to believe Covington departed from his usual practice when he visited Smithson on the night Shephard was killed.
Leach maintained Covington had nothing to do with Shephard’s death.
“I don’t see any evidence linking my client to the death of Mr. Shephard,” he said. “I feel sympathy for the Smithson family. I feel bad for them. Not only is William Smithson going to spend the rest of his life in jail, his family is hurting, too. But there’s no reason to view my client as a suspect in the death of Jason Shephard.”
Covington’s sentencing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 27 at the Delaware County Court House, 201 W. Front St., Media.
Covington, a former administrator at St. Joseph’s University, is currently serving three years’ probation after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges of possession of crystal meth and drug paraphernalia for a February 2008 incident at his former residence in Narberth.
Tim Cwiek can be reached at (215) 625-8501 ext. 208.