Centre County judge tosses stalking, harassment charges against Penn State professor
A Centre County judge threw out the remaining stalking and harassment charges against a Penn State professor Thursday, siding with his defense lawyers who argued they were brought outside the statute of limitations.
Centre County Judge Brian Marshall dismissed all three charges — two misdemeanors and a summary citation — on the same grounds. In an 11-page ruling, he found Matthew B. Parkinson could not be prosecuted for conduct that occurred prior to October 2022.
The woman who accused Parkinson testified her last physical interaction with him was in September 2022.
Parkinson’s defense lawyers told the Centre Daily Times he asked them to “convey his respect for our court system and his gratitude to his Penn State family for their support and patience.”
“We are proud to have represented a distinguished academic like Professor Parkinson,” defense lawyers Tim A. Bowers and Kymberley L. Best said in a statement Wednesday. “Matt and his family are relieved to put this unfortunate and painful chapter behind them.”
Parkinson, who was on administrative leave since at least Nov. 15, is a professor in Penn State’s College of Engineering. A university spokesperson said Parkinson’s leave was lifted Tuesday.
Centre County District Attorney Bernie Cantorna declined comment on Marshall’s ruling. His office had not filed an appeal as of Wednesday.
Marshall’s decision marked the second time a judge tossed a charge against Parkinson. District Judge Steven Lachman dismissed a count of harassment after a preliminary hearing in December.
Centre County prosecutors put forward a case that alleged a longtime friendship between two couples deteriorated into one the woman described as uncomfortable and strange.
Parkinson, 52, of College Township, was accused of persistently asking the woman to go on more trips despite being told no. He also repeatedly showed up at her place of employment in downtown State College, visits that borough police said were frequent enough her coworkers began to notice.
The woman told investigators Parkinson even watched her eat lunch from his office window, going as far as emailing her a photograph of her spot when no one was there. She testified that made her feel “creeped out.”
Parkinson was told by the woman’s husband in September 2022 not to communicate with her anymore. Parkinson sent a couple emails and text messages after, but Marshall said those communications could not support the charges.
One was a text message that said “miss you guys” and another was an email from Parkinson that said “hoping that enough time has passed that maybe we could talk.” All communication between the two stopped after Parkinson was told by the woman’s husband not to engage with her “in any way.”
Marshall said the messages were “certainly concerning,” but did not amount to harassment.
Parkinson was also the director of the Learning Factory at the time he was charged. The maker space for the College of Engineering is being led by an interim director, according to its website.
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 3:31 PM.