Halle’s lawyer seeks to uncover key evidence, including computers
The attorney for former Butler Area School Board member William Halle is seeking to uncover evidence needed for his client’s defense.
Halle, 61, of Westmoreland County, was charged in March 2024 with sexual assault by a volunteer or employee of a nonprofit, corruption of minors, criminal use of a communication facility, and criminal solicitation by a nonprofit employee or volunteer. The charges stem from 2023 allegations that Halle sexually assaulted a then 17-year-old girl, who worked for his now-defunct nonprofit organization, the Grace Youth and Family Foundation.
Among the pieces of evidence that his attorney Joel Hills is seeking to uncover are digital records belonging to Halle’s former foundation, including “at least one or two computers.”
“We believe that said information would be extremely valuable,” Hills said. “We’re just asking for copies. We’re not trying to make off with anything.”
Hills is also seeking a cellphone belonging to the teenager, which may contain original copies of text messages between the two. At prior hearings, it was established that evidence of the text messages consists of photos of the phone and not direct screenshots.
“The case relies on text messages with the alleged victim. We didn’t get a dump of the phone,” Hills said. “The phone is supposedly in the control of the state police. We’d like confirmation that the phone is in the possession of the state police. If you can’t dump the phone, how can you provide the context we need?”
Michael Pater, the receiver in charge of liquidating the assets of Halle’s foundation, was subpoenaed to appear in court on the afternoon of Wednesday, Dec. 10. He testified he turned over a trove of information to former foundation board member Jeff Harris, including computers and hard drives that contained financial information. He went on to state that this material was turned over to the District Attorney’s office and not returned to him.
“Jeff Harris showed up at my door and said he needed it for the liquidation of the foundation,” Pater said.
He stated that he still had access to “five or six boxes” worth of paper records for the foundation that are kept in a storage locker, but added that it was “most likely not the totality of records.”
The next court date for Halle is a status conference scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 16.
