Former Butler school board member Bill Halle was back in court Tuesday looking to get charges thrown out.
The motion filed by Halle’s lawyer looked to have charges dropped claiming that they should not have stood at the preliminary hearing.
This filing led to Halle’s alleged victim being subpoenaed by prosecutors and called to testify. During the testimony the victim confirmed that their sexual relationship with Halle started when they were 17 but they were never a volunteer or participant of the Grace Youth and Family Foundation (GYFF).
The victim however did confirm they were an employee of the Net Café inside the GYFF and they had worked extra hours without being paid. The defense claimed a mini fridge given from Halle to the victim was payment but an objection led to Judge William Shaffer ruling that would be a question for the jury.
The victim did however claim they were a member of the Battleground program when William Halle, Bill Halle’s son, ran the program as a for profit business, not part of the GYFF. The victim was able to participate in the program for free as they were an employee at the Net Café.
William left the business at some point in 2022 or 2023 as he took a job at Grove City College.
The business was running in the basement of the GYFF and eventually when William left the program Bill took over duties.
While being questioned the victim also confirmed that the fridge was given to them for nutrition which they also said was a part of the Battleground program. The fridge was given to the victim within days of two alleged sexual encounters between Halle and the victim.
The relevance of the role the victim had within Halle’s organizations impacts charges laid out by the Commonwealth. Halle’s attorney is looking to throw out the Sexual Assault by a Volunteer or employee of a nonprofit and Criminal Solicitation – Sexual Assault by Volunteer.
If these charges are dropped several others will also be dropped as well only leaving a corruption of minors charge. The defense argues that the age of consent in Pennsylvania is 17 when looking at comparative laws.
The commonwealth was given the opportunity to argue in court or file a written motion. They chose a written motion and now have 10 days to respond.
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