Scottdale man’s plea deal rejected by judge
A Fayette County judge on Wednesday rejected the plea deal of a Scottdale man accused of sexually assaulting a Connellsville Township woman last year. President Judge Conrad B. Capuzzi said the 11 1/2-to 23-month prison sentence was not strict enough to meet Larry Dale Knopsnider’s rehabilitative needs. Capuzzi also said the jail term was below the sentencing guidelines.
Last month, Knopsnider, 45, of Market Street, pleaded guilty last month to aggravated indecent assault in the alleged Sept. 11, 2004, assault. In exchange for the guilty plea, which was made with the alleged victim’s consent, prosecutors dismissed charges of rape, simple assault and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse. Those charges will likely be reinstated.
Police allege that Knopsnider punched and then raped the woman over a four-hour period.
Several months before he entered the plea, jurors heard testimony in the case, but deadlocked as to his guilt. During that trial, Knopsnider testified the two had consensual sex after a night of heavy drinking.
The victim testified she feared Knopsnider, whom she said punched her in the right eye. Prosecutors showed pictures of the woman to jurors in that trial.
She testified that he had her drive to a secluded area of Bullskin Township, where he repeatedly beat and sexually assaulted her between 2:30 and 6:30 a.m.
Knopsnider had testified that he didn’t get along with the woman, but she drove him home on a night when he consumed an estimated 20 16-ounce beers.
He testified he passed out in her vehicle, but she woke him up, asking about a get-together at her fianc?’s house.
The two were supposed to spend time together during that get-together, Knopsnider testified. He claimed they ultimately had consensual sex after more discussion of a sexual nature. Knopsnider can again go to trial, or try to strike a new plea bargain with prosecutors.