Redford Case Bound Over to Grand Jury
WHEELING – The case against former Wheeling police Lt. Phil Redford, charged with felony sexual abuse by a person in a position of trust, will be bound over to Ohio County Circuit Court, a Hancock County magistrate ruled Monday during Redford’s preliminary hearing.
The alleged victim in the case, who is now 18, says she is now engaged to Redford, 43. She took the stand as a witness for both the defense and state Monday, and said her sexual relationship with Redford began two weeks after she graduated from The Linsly School.
Redford is accused of having a sexual relationship with her while she was a student, and while Redford was director of safety and security at the school.
Her father objects to the relationship and recorded his daughter admitting that their relationship began at a time when she was 17 and a student, a recording that the state is using as evidence. However, on the stand Monday, the alleged victim said she was under duress from her father when she made that admission.
The Hancock County magistrate was hearing the case because all Ohio County magistrates recused themselves due to conflict of interest.
COMMENTS