Man accused of raping Penn State student in 1995 released from jail after posting bail
A man accused of raping a woman more than two decades ago in State College was released from jail Tuesday, one day after a Centre County judge reduced his bail.
Scott R. Williams, 49, posted $100,000 to be released from the Centre County Correctional Facility. His bail sat at $500,000 until Tuesday, when Centre County Judge Brian Marshall reduced it to 10% of $1 million.
Williams is required to be electronically monitored and may only leave Mifflin County — his home county — for court appearances or to meet with defense lawyer Matt McClenahen.
Nine people testified Monday in favor of lowering Williams’ bail, including his wife, a son, a cousin, a teacher, a retired district judge from Mifflin County and a human resources director.
The hearing lasted about two hours. McClenahen, who has worked as a defense lawyer for about two decades, said Tuesday it was the longest bail hearing of his career.
Williams worked as a foreman for Liberty Excavating before his arrest in October. His employer would welcome him back if he were released, McClenahen wrote in a November court document.
Williams rarely drinks alcohol, does not use illegal drugs and has never been accused of similar misconduct, McClenahen added.
Centre County Deputy District Attorney Sean McGraw pushed back, arguing Williams could face at least 23 years in state prison if convicted.
Williams is charged with one felony count each of rape, aggravated assault and robbery. He’s also charged with one misdemeanor count each of indecent assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, theft and receiving stolen property.
He had been detained at the county jail since Oct. 5.
State College police investigators used DNA and genetic genealogy to track Williams down. He’s accused in the 1995 rape of a Penn State senior, who detectives said was attacked along the 900 block of South Pugh Street.
Passersby found the woman disrobed from the waist down and covered in blood during graduation weekend 26 years ago. She was treated for skull, facial and jaw fractures, county District Attorney Bernie Cantorna said in October.
A trial date has not been set.