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Man pleads to lesser charge in rape case

2 min read

A Washington man accused of raping a woman inside a restroom on the ground floor of the LandAmerica building on West Beau Street pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and was sentenced to 11 ½ to 23 months in jail.

Harvey Hall, 47, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of simple assault Monday before Washington County Common Pleas Judge John F. DiSalle. He initially was charged with rape, sexual assault and false imprisonment.

The district attorney’s office did not proceed with those charges as a part of a plea agreement.

Jury selection for Hall’s trial was set to begin Monday, prior to his plea.

Hall was accused of raping a then-37-year-old woman Feb. 4, 2014. The woman told police she knew Hall, and that the pair met while going through drug and alcohol treatment. The woman told police that Hall offered her a ride to a local drugstore so she could pick up a prescription. After entering the LandAmerica building, she said they took an elevator to the ground floor. When she asked why they were going that way, Hall reportedly told her it was a shortcut.

The woman said Hall then took her into the restroom, locked the door and raped her. Police said video surveillance showed the two entering and exiting the building.

Hall, who has been in jail since his arrest, was given credit for time served. As a result, he was released after Monday’s hearing. DiSalle said Hall will be paroled for the remainder of his jail sentence. Hall is not to have contact with the victim.

His attorney, Joseph Francis, said the outcome was an “appropriate resolution to the matter.”

Assistant District Attorney Kristin Clingerman declined to comment following the hearing.

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