Greensburg Rape Suspect's Hearing Reset
By Bob Stiles, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, September 2, 2011
A preliminary hearing for a rape suspect was rescheduled for later this month because the alleged victim failed to appear before Greensburg District Judge James Albert on Thursday.
Aven Joseph Wallace, 33, of 32 W. Fourth St., Greensburg, faces charges of rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault and kidnapping.
The victim was not subpoenaed to appear yesterday, Westmoreland County Assistant District Attorney Chris Flanigan told Albert when asking to reschedule the hearing.
Albert lowered Wallace's bail from $50,000 to $25,000 straight and cautioned Wallace's attorney, county Assistant Public Defender Anthony Bompiani, about his client contacting the alleged victim.
"No contact of any kind," Albert added. "Not even a pigeon ... with a note."
Earlier, Bompiani told Albert the alleged victim has been contacting Wallace at the Westmoreland County Prison where he is housed because he's unable to post bail.
"The alleged victim is writing him in jail, apologizing," Bompiani said.
Flanigan objected to Bompiani's characterization of the letter.
"It's a loving letter, but there's no apology here. And there's nothing that 'it didn't happen,' " Flanigan said.
Wallace has no criminal record, Bompiani told Albert.
The alleged victim, who knows Wallace, accepted a ride from him after they attended a party Aug. 21 in Youngwood, Greensburg Patrolman John Swank said in court papers.
They drove to Greensburg, where the woman lives, and Wallace said, "You're not going home," according to the court papers.
Wallace drove to his house, grabbed the woman's arms and pulled her from his vehicle, police said. He dragged her to his bedroom and sexually assaulted her, authorities said.
The Tribune-Review does not identify victims of alleged sexual assaults.
The woman went to Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg, where she was treated and her clothing was confiscated as possible evidence.
Wallace claimed that the sex was consensual, police said, and that he didn't restrain the woman with a belt.
Wallace's hearing is rescheduled for Sept. 22.
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