Judge Tim Tepe and lawyers set the ground rules during a final pretrial hearing Wednesday in the court in Lebanon.
In response to a question from Tepe, Assistant County Prosecutor Travis Vieux indicated Hall, now 57, of Clearcreek Twp., could be offered an alternative: Plead guilty to one sex offense involving each of two victims and accept an unspecified agreed-upon sentence.
Afterward, County Prosecutor David Fornshell said no offer had been made.
While arguing they were “being blind-sided” by the lack of specifics in evidence shared by prosecutors, Hall’s lawyers left little doubt they planned to begin the trial. It is scheduled for five days, to begin on Aug. 24.
The accusers are known to Hall.
Tepe denied a motion for some charges to be dropped because of the time elapsed since the alleged crimes happened, and he set guidelines designed to protect against the spread of COVID-19, including social-distancing of prospective jurors and masking up for “sidebar” discussions held out of the jury’s earshot.
“I don’t wear a mask, but I will wear one out of respect for anyone who does,” Tepe said.
An Arizona-based witness might be questioned via remote video hookup.
Left unresolved was what limits should be placed on testimony of an expert on delayed reporting of sex charges.
Debate continued over handling a separate 2008 incident involving an accuser.
Hall’s lawyers have indicated they could call up to 26 witnesses, including retired Springboro detectives Lisa Walsh and Tim Parker, as well as three experts.
Hall faces 17 felonies, including 10 first-degree rape and seven third-degree sexual battery charges. Two involve a child younger than 13, seven allege force was used and one that the victim was “substantially impaired,” according to filings.
He remains free on $150,000 bond.
About the Author
