County prosecutors have filed an appeal concerning a judge’s ruling that limited the evidence they could present at the trial of a Hempfield man who allegedly raped a woman.
The Tribune-Review reports that a woman had accused 36-year-old Harold Franks with raping her, but she has since recanted the accusation. Last month, Judge Tim Krieger ruled statements made by the woman to investigators and medical personnel detailing the alleged assault could not be used, and also barred evidence that Franks committed other potentially criminal violent acts.
Frank’s trial was to take place March 11, but it is now likely to be postponed.
