Man accused of assault across state lines jailed, denied bail
A man who allegedly kidnapped a woman from West Virginia and assaulted her in Wharton Township before dragging her back across the state line turned himself in Monday, officials said.
Virgil Lee Hall, 45, of 649 Fox Hollow Road in Bruceton Mills was on the lam for six days after officials in both states issued warrants for his arrest Nov. 29.
The Preston County Sheriff蘑菇视频 Office said in a news release Hall arrived at the office with his attorney Monday. He was arrested without incident. In West Virginia, he is charged with attempted second degree murder, malicious wounding, strangulation and kidnapping. He is also charged as a fugitive from justice because of his charges in Pennsylvania, according to the sheriff蘑菇视频 office.
Hall was arraigned by Magistrate Bo Ward, who denied bail.
Pennsylvania State Police became involved in the investigation Nov. 28 when Preston County Deputy Sheriff Lt. Thomas Mitter took the alleged victim to retrace her steps on the night of the alleged assault Nov. 18, and discovered the incident crossed state lines. Hall allegedly kidnapped the woman from a Bruceton Mills home and drove her through a cornfield behind 165 Rishel Road in Wharton Township, just within the Pennsylvania border, and got his vehicle got stuck, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed in his case in Pennsylvania.
Police said Hall ripped her out of the vehicle by the hair and choked her with both hands around her neck until she nearly passed out. He allegedly choked her several times. Hall reportedly grabbed her by the hair again and dragged her through the cornfield, through the woods and along Dennis and Fox Hollow roads back to his house. As they passed a house, he allegedly told her he would snap her neck if she made a noise, according to court paperwork.
Back in West Virginia, he allegedly held her at gunpoint in his house and threatened to kill her. She later escaped, police said.
Investigators found his vehicle stuck in the cornfield. Tire marks cut through the yard at 165 Rishel Road and along the field.
Hall is held in Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
The Preston County Sheriff蘑菇视频 Office did not detail the alleged attack in West Virginia. Pennsylvania State Police and the Preston County Sheriff蘑菇视频 Office are conducting a joint investigation.
Hall is charged with strangulation, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint and simple assault in Pennsylvania.