The trial of a Pottsville man charged with raping a woman in May 2015 in East Union Township will highlight the two-week February criminal court term beginning today in Schuylkill County Court.
David R. Moran, 49, formerly of Brandonville, is charged with two counts of rape, three of aggravated indecent assault and one each of intimidation of witness or victim, sexual assault, terroristic threats and simple assault.
East Union Township police charged Moran with raping a 29-year-old woman on May 20, 2015, in a section of Brandonville called the race track.
At Moran’s preliminary hearing on July 9, 2015, before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah, the woman testified Moran assaulted and raped her in spite of her telling him numerous times to stop.
Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith will prosecute the case, while Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins will represent Moran. President Judge William E. Baldwin will preside over the trial.
District Attorney Christine A. Holman said Friday that Moran’s is one of three trials scheduled to start today. The other two involve out-of-county defendants.
In those other two trials, Jeremy R. Boehmer, 25, of Rock Glen, is charged with aggravated assault and simple assault, while Andrew A. Kottke, 33, of Red Lion, is charged with driving under the influence.
State police allege Boehmer committed the assault on July 5, 2014, in Ringtown. Assistant District Attorney Kimm R. Montone will prosecute Boehmer, while Chief Public Defender Michael J. Stine will defend him in the trial over which Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin will preside.
Pottsville police allege Kottke was DUI on April 17, 2014, in the city. Deputy Assistant District Attorney Robert I. Lipkin will prosecute Kottke, while Edward M. Olexa, Hazleton, will defend him in the trial over which Judge John E. Domalakes will preside.
There are 10 jury trials, including today’s three, scheduled for the February term, which runs through Feb. 12. That number is not unusual, Holman said.
“The average is about eight to 10,” she said.
Holman said there also are five nonjury trials scheduled.
“That’s about average,” she said.
Defendant: David R. Moran
Age: 49
Residence: Pottsville, formerly of Brandonville
Charges: Two counts of rape, three of aggravated indecent assault, and one each of intimidation of witness or victim, sexual assault, terroristic threats and simple assault