CLEARFIELD – The preliminary hearing for reinstated Lawrence Township Police Officer Matthew R. Houser was continued for one week while the attorney for the alleged victim in the case addresses a Fifth Amendment issue.
When the alleged victim in the case was called to testify, her attorney, Lee Rothman of Pittsburgh, stood and said that his client would testify as to who she is but other than that, she would invoke her Fifth Amendment rights to not testify about anything that might incriminate her.
Houser’s charges for which Wednesday’s preliminary hearing was to be held include allegations that he pulled the alleged victim’s hair and forced her hands behind her back. He faces counts of simple assault and harassment and stalking.
Police are also investigating whether the alleged victim damaged Houser’s truck on the night the incident was said to have happened.
In using the shield of the Fifth Amendment, Rothman said, “We feel answers may incriminate her in further criminal proceedings.”
Magisterial District Judge James Hawkins continued the matter until next Wednesday so that the appropriate order could be obtained through the Clearfield County Court of Common Pleas.
The hearing was originally scheduled for March 7, but the case was continued for two weeks at the request of the defense.
The Lawrence Township Supervisors reinstated Houser effective Feb. 26 at full, pay at their meeting Tuesday. They then approved placing him on paid administrative leave at his hourly rate of $19.30. The supervisors did not comment on the action.