WESTMORELAND COUNTY JURY TO BEGIN DELIBERATIONS IN HEMPFIELD MAN’S CASE

A Westmoreland County Jury is expected to begin deliberations this morning in the case of a Hempfield man accused of raping a woman with intellectual disabilities in late 2022.  The Trib reports that 58-year-old Dennis Hertzog faces charges of rape, involuntarty deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault for allegations that he had sexual relations with a 48-year-old woman that prosecutors say was unable to give consent.  Hertzog denied the allegations during his testimony, telling jurors he believed the accuser’s family members concocted the claims as part of a scheme to claim her Social Security benefits.