A Lancaster man was convicted this week of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle – in what was the first jury trial in Lancaster County since the COVID-19 emergency declaration.

The pandemic prompted a judicial order in April from Lancaster County’s President Judge which suspended jury trials (and other proceedings).

Daniel Steinberg III, 19, was convicted late Tuesday morning of the misdemeanor charge.

Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn Jr., who presided over the trial, will order sentence after a background investigation.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman presented evidence during the two-day trial of how Steinberg used a Volkswagen Jetta in January that belong to a friend’s father.

Police found the Jetta at the Lititz Rec Center – Steinberg was nearby.

Lititz Borough police Officer Cameron Burke filed charges.

The trial involved a few modifications from typical procedure to consider COVID-19 restrictions, to include:

- The trial was held in Courtroom A (located in the old courthouse building), which is a much larger room and allowed for more spacing.

- Jurors were seated staggered in benches and wore face shields throughout the proceedings.

- Everyone who spoke used a microphone.

- Attorneys and witnesses were allowed to pull down masks while speaking/testifying.

- Plexiglass dividers were in place at the attorneys’ tables and in front of the judge.

- For sidebar discussions (not for jurors to hear), the parties went to a side room.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright