Knox Man Accused of Raping Girl Free on $1.00 Bail Due to Speedy Trial Law

Scott Shindledecker

Scott Shindledecker

Published June 20, 2017 4:28 am
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CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — A Knox man accused of raping a young girl is free on $1.00 bail after prosecutors failed to meet speedy trial guidelines due to a delay in DNA testing.

According to court documents, 57-year-old Thomas Edward Servey, of Knox, was scheduled to go on trial on June 14 in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas; however, it was canceled when the District Attorney’s office requested a continuance on June 9. President Judge James Arner granted the request on June 13.

According to Assistant District Attorney Drew Welsh, the lab in Greensburg had not yet finished the DNA testing, and he explained that both the prosecution and defense want to see the results before the trial begins.

In Pennsylvania, a person accused of a crime has the right speedy trial under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Servey’s defense attorney, Erich Spessard, of the Public Defender’s office, made a motion on June 13 for a nominal bail, pursuant to Rule 600(B), which prevents a defendant from being held more than 180 days on any more than nominal bail.

On Friday, June 16, Arner granted the motion, and Servey’s bail was reduced to $1.00. It was posted on Monday, June 19, and Servey was released.

Another section of Rule 600 states that an accused person is eligible for $1 “nominal bail” if he has not been brought to trial within six months of being charged.

Nevertheless, Servey still faces more than 40 counts related to the case.

A criminal pre-trial conference is scheduled in Courtroom 1 in front of Arner for 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 14.

Court documents indicate that on September 9, 2016, Clarion-based State Police filed criminal charges against Servey stemming from alleged incidents that took place at a home in Beaver Township, Clarion County.

He faces the following charges:

– Rape Threat of Forcible Compulsion, Felony 1, (10 counts)
– Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1, (10 counts)
– Aggravated Indecent Assault – Complainant Less Than 16, Felony 2, (10 counts)
– Indecent Assault Person Less 16 Yrs Age, Misdemeanor 2, (10 counts)
– Corruption Of Minors – Defendant Age 18 or Above, Felony 3
– Terroristic Threats W/Intent To Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, several state police troopers were dispatched to a residence on Knight School Road in Beaver Township for a report by (a known woman) who advised PSP Clarion that “she found Servey in bed with a teen female victim.”

She also advised police that “Servey had barricaded himself inside his home and poured gasoline onto the front porch,” the complaint continues.

During the investigation, the woman told police that “she had walked into the bedroom and found Servey and the victim unclothed and in bed having sexual intercourse. The victim ran from the bedroom, and the known woman drove the victim to a residence in Clarion Borough. The victim informed her that this is not the first time Servey has done this to her,” the complaint states.

(The known woman) returned to the residence, and before reaching the front deck, she could smell gasoline and saw a red gas can near the front door. She said that she walked into the residence to retrieve the dogs and spoke with Servey who was sitting on the bed allegedly holding a revolver. She stated that Servey “told her that he had only did this one other time and that he knows what he has to do and told her to leave,” the complaint indicates.

Police approached the residence, but before reaching the residence, Servey was seen driving his 1993 Dodge truck toward the police and upon seeing them, turned into a bean field. Servey ignored repeated attempts from troopers as they tried to make contact with him, according to the complaint.

Servey allegedly drove through the field stopping several times to look at the patrol vehicle following him before stopping. Servey exited his vehicle and was instructed to raise his arms, at which time, “a shoulder holster could be seen on his person with a revolver inside,” the complaint states.

Servey was taken into custody. Several rifles, a shotgun, and a muzzleloader were allegedly located in Servey’s vehicle as well as a silver 38-caliber pistol in Servey’s pocket, the complaint continues.

The victim was interviewed at PSP Clarion, and she said that Servey has done this several times before and that he told her that “if she told anyone he would burn the house down and hurt her family,” according to the complaint.

A search of Servey’s residence allegedly produced a red, one-gallon gasoline can near the front door of the residence and a red, five-gallon gasoline can sitting on his bed, the complaint indicates.

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