SPRINGVALE — Investigators say that a Waterboro man who is charged with attacking a female lawyer with a cane equipped as a stun gun laid a trap for her by pretending to be a potential client named “Sue.”
Christopher Hall, 48, attacked the attorney, who works as a professional mediator, as she got out of her car Thursday evening at a home in Arundel where she had arranged by text message to meet the client, said York County Sheriff William King Jr.
As the woman arrived at the home, she saw what she thought was an old man with a cane next to a van, King said in an interview Tuesday, after Hall made his initial appearance in Springvale District Court via video link on felony charges of assault and aggravated assault. She didn’t see the man as a threat until he rushed her, King said.
The woman told police that the man put what the sheriff’s office first described as a cattle prod between her legs and shocked her on her inner thigh. He then put his hand to her mouth to stifle her screams as she fought back. In the struggle, the woman kicked the man, knocking off a wig that he was wearing, and he ran off, King said.
“I don’t think he expected her to fight back as much as she did,” King said.
King said investigators do not know whether Hall intended to kidnap the woman, rob her or injure her more seriously.
The attorney told police that she saw the fleeing attacker get into the passenger seat of a van, with a driver who drove off, King said. He would not release any information on the driver, whether investigators are seeking that person or whether that person may face charges.
Investigators got a tip identifying Hall as the attacker. Officers staked out Hall’s address in Waterboro and stopped the van Friday when they saw it leave the property, King said. Hall was riding in the van but was not arrested.
Investigators did get enough evidence to arrest him around 6:30 p.m. Friday and recovered the cane, the wig and other items from the scene.
Deputies learned that the woman had worked on a child custody case involving Hall, King said, and that Hall had threatened several people involved in the case.
Hall is being held in the York County Jail in Alfred. Judge Richard Mulhern increased his bail Tuesday from $15,000 to $250,000, as requested by Assistant District Attorney Brian Roberts. Defense attorney Randall Bates, who represented Hall for his initial appearance, reserved any bail arguments for a later date.
Hall was not required to enter pleas because the charges are felonies and his case has yet to be presented to a grand jury. If convicted, he will face as much as five years in prison on the assault charge and up to 10 years on the aggravated assault charge.
The judge ordered Hall to stay away from nine people if he is released, including the woman and a retired judge, some defense attorneys and a prosecutor.
The judge also said that the assault charge was elevated to a felony because he has prior convictions, for domestic assault in 2012 and for terrorizing in 2011.
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