In Cambria County court, a judge granted a new attorney to Austin Kline of South Fork, who is accused of the 2023 murder of Richard Morgan of Altoona, moving the case closer to trial. Judge Tammy Bernstein warned Kline against further delays and instructed him to cooperate with his new counsel. According to investigators, Kline hired the 55-year-old Morgan to perform excavation work at his home before Morgan was reported missing. Prosecutors accuse Kline of subsequently shooting Morgan multiple times and then striking his body with a landscaping tool. Kline was scheduled for trial in February but the proceedings were delayed after he filed a motion to withdraw his legal counsel. Kline is facing charges that include criminal homicide, abuse of a corpse, and other related counts.
Thursday 12th March 2026
