Attempted rape charge dropped

October 07, 2004|by DON AINES

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. - Attempted rape and other charges against a Chambersburg man were dismissed Wednesday in Franklin County Court at the request of Assistant District Attorney John Lisko.

"I don't believe I can prove this case beyond a reasonable doubt," Lisko told Judge Carol Van Horn. He said the alleged victim in the case had told him she would not testify against Frederick A. Rickard Jr.

Rickard, 33, whose address was listed as the Franklin County Shelter for the Homeless in Chambersburg, was charged by Pennsylvania State Police with attempted rape, attempted sexual assault, two counts of indecent assault and one count of simple assault in the July 17 incident at the Budget Inn, 2347 Molly Pitcher Highway South.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, the woman met with Rickard and his brother at about 7:15 a.m. and the three ate breakfast at a restaurant. The woman then drove Rickard's brother to his home in Waynesboro, Pa.

Rickard was intoxicated and the woman checked him in to a room at the motel, according to the affidavit. The woman went in to use the bathroom and she was attacked, according to allegations in the affidavit.

"The victim in this case is the foster parent of the defendant's child," Lisko told Van Horn. He said there had been a dispute prior to the alleged assault over the woman and her husband adopting the teenage girl, he said.

"She wanted the charges dropped," Assistant Public Defender Paul Rockwell said. He said the woman sent letters to Rickard indicating she was sorry he had been jailed.

"I don't think it was her position that nothing happened" in the motel room, Rockwell said.

Rickard was not present when Van Horn signed the order dismissing the charges.

While he was in the county prison on those charges, Rockwell said Rickard also was being held on a state parole detainer.

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