Jury finds kidnap suspect not guilty of assaulting woman
A Fayette County jury on Friday acquitted a Dunbar man who stood accused of abducting a woman and then touching her inappropriately when she refused to perform a sex act. Jason C. Hatter, 23, of 192 Morrell Road, was found not guilty of kidnapping, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment and indecent assault for the May 28 incident. The jury could not reach a verdict on a final count of indecent exposure.
Hatter still faces prosecution on a similar case involving a different victim and for allegedly exposing himself to a high school girls’ softball team.
During a three-day trail that ended Friday, a 22-year-old woman testified that she was walking from Pechin’s Shopping Village to her Dunbar home when Hatter stopped, grabbed her wrist and pulled her into the vehicle. She testified that he then took her to a remote area, shoved her against a tree and began to accost her, requesting that she perform a sex act on him. She said he grabbed her breasts and exposed himself when she refused.
The woman also testified that Hatter dropped her off after driving around for a while longer.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Hatter admitted that he gave the woman a ride, but said it was at her request. He also said they drove to a remote area and kissed. Hatter also told police he asked the woman for sex, but dropped her off when she declined.
The jury began deliberations shortly before noon and returned the verdicts after 3:30 p.m.
Although Hatter was acquitted of the charges in that case, two other similar cases are still pending against him. Police filed 17 indecent exposure charges against Hatter for allegedly exposing himself to a bus driver and 16 members of the California Area High School girls’ softball team last May 7. He allegedly pulled alongside the bus as it was proceeding near the Laurel Mall on Route 119 and exposed himself.
In another incident, Hatter allegedly picked up a woman walking along Easy Street in Uniontown, assaulted her and then asked her to have sex. Police allege that he touched the woman before she was able to escape from him. In that case, he is facing charges of indecent exposure, indecent assault and disorderly conduct. The alleged victim in that case testified during Hatter’s trial.
The trial was held before Judge Steve P. Leskinen, with Assistant Public Defender Mary Campbell Spegar defending Hatter and Assistant District Attorney Phyllis A. Jin handling the prosecution.