After talking more with the alleged victim in a case against Kevin Burke, the Crawford County District Attorney’s Office has filed more charges against the Meadville attorney.
“We thought it would be appropriate to add some additional charges,” said Assistant District Attorney Jaqueline Blanchard.
The five charges have more than doubled to 13. Original charges included rape, sexual assault, two counts of indecent assault, and one count of indecent exposure.
The additional charges include strangulation, simple assault, four counts of harassment, and two more counts of indecent assault.
In the criminal complaint, the woman stated that she went to Burke for legal representation in a case and was allegedly raped and choked until the assault was completed. The incident reportedly occurred in Burke’s downtown Meadville office on Chestnut Street in May.
Blanchard said that as they have spoken more with the woman, they decided there were grounds for more charges. She previously clarified to The Meadville Tribune alongside District Attorney Paula DiGiacomo that in Pennsylvania, a witness’s story of assault is enough evidence for a conviction if it convinces the jury beyond a reasonable doubt; therefore, there are no “he-said, she-said” cases, they’re credible in the eyes of the law.
Burke was arrested and arraigned Sept. 11 in front of Senior Judge Rita Marwood in the absence of Magisterial District Judge Samuel Pendolino. Now that Pendolino has returned from vacation, he has recused himself from the case. Another senior judge will have to take over the case.
Due to a scheduling conflict with Burke’s attorney, Edward Hatheway, the preliminary hearing Thursday will be rescheduled. The new date is yet to be decided, according to Blanchard.
Burke posted his $200,000 in bail Sept. 12.