ST. ALBANS — The second of two sexual assault trials for state Sen. Norm McAllister, which was set to begin next week, is being rescheduled for December, the Franklin County Superior Court clerk’s office confirmed.
The state dropped rape and sexual misconduct charges in the first trial in June after the accuser in that case lied on the witness stand about whether she kissed another person who worked alongside her on McAllister’s farm in Highgate.
The second trial was slated for jury draw Tuesday, the date of Vermont’s primary election. McAllister is seeking re-election and had said he hoped to have both trials resolved before the election. The trial was to take place later next week.
Now the clerk’s office says the trial is going to be rescheduled for December, with pretrial motions due in September.
The Franklin County state’s attorney’s office and McAllister’s defense attorney did not immediately return calls seeking comment on the reason for the delay.
McAllister’s accuser in the second trial also worked on his farm. McAllister’s son said recently that she is still living in a trailer on the property, but earlier this year McAllister’s defense attorneys said she was living out of state. McAllister at one point had sought to evict her.
In the upcoming case, the state alleges McAllister coerced his accuser into unwanted and sometimes painful sex acts in exchange for work and housing. The woman has filed a lawsuit with similar allegations, which is on hold until the criminal case is resolved.
