Bench Warrant issued in Hit-Run Case

A Coplay man charged in the hit-and-run of a man in an  parking lot, South Whitehall, was scheduled to stand trial Monday, April 16, but he did not show up, according to court records.

Judge Robert Steinberg issued a bench warrant for Joseph R. Knauss, 26, who is charged with attempted homicide, aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. Steinberg also revoked Knauss's $50,000 bail.

According to a report on lehighvalleylive.com, Steinberg said Monday afternoon that authorities had learned Knauss had checked himself into a facility, for mental health reasons. The trial was not expected to begin this week.

Knauss allegedly struck Richard Heydt in the bank's parking lot at 4148 Tilghman St. on Dec. 14, 2010, and left the scene. South Whitehall police said at the time that witnesses provided information that led to Knauss's arrest the next day.