Hearing continued for State College man charged with assault

A preliminary hearing for a State College man charged with assault was postponed until next week, a district judge ruled Wednesday.

Austin L. Hughes Jr., 36, was charged with counts of simple assault and harassment Saturday after state police at Philipsburg were dispatched for a report of domestic violence along West Presqueisle Street, the affidavit said. Troopers reportedly spoke with a female resident, who advised that Hughes had been staying with her for about a month.

The woman reported that Hughes had been hitting and punching her during this time, police said. He had reportedly been intoxicated that day and had struck her about 50-60 times, police said, and she had complained that Hughes had pulled out her hair.

At the preliminary hearing Wednesday, the prosecution asked District Judge Carmine Prestia for a continuance, saying the woman was unavailable to testify that day. A state trooper testified that she had only been made aware of the hearing that morning and was unable to drive to the courthouse.

Hughes’s attorney, Patrick Klena, argued that the charges against his client should be dismissed and refiled once the prosecution was able to provide the witness. Prestia agreed to continue the hearing, but warned the prosecution that if the witness was not available next week, the case would likely be dismissed.

Klena also made an argument for bail modification, noting that Hughes is being held on $25,000 straight bail. Prestia denied the request.

This story was originally published January 17, 2018 at 5:28 PM with the headline "Hearing continued for State College man charged with assault."