Preliminary Hearing Held For Accused Norristown Gunpoint Rapist

NORRISTOWN, PA — The first court appearance for the man accused of a 2017 gunpoint rape of a young woman out jogging in Norristown Farm Park was held Wednesday.

Mason Alexander Hall, 19, of West Norriton, faces numerous charges for the incident, which occurred back on Aug. 1, 2017, when Hall was 17. Authorities utilized a range of advanced DNA technologies to ultimately trace the crime back to him after a two-year investigation.

Hall was held for trial as the result of the hearing, as determined by District Judge Marc A. Alfarano.

Hall has been incarcerated at Montgomery County Correctional Facility since his arrest on Oct. 18.

>>Man Charged In 2017 Gunpoint Rape In Norristown Farm Park: DA

Video taken at district court Wednesday morning by KYW showed Hall being led by authorities from the parking lot into the building. He did not reply to a reporter's request for comment.

The hearing took place at 11 a.m. Hall is represented by Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg, and Gifford in Lansdale.

Hall faces a wide range of charges, including involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault, terroristic threats, unlawful restraint, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and possession of an instrument of crime, and possession of a firearm by a minor.

The case received widespread attention for the vast manhunt that ensued, and it shook nearby residents not accustomed to violent crime in that typically safe, quiet section of the park.

An arraignment has been scheduled for Dec. 11, court documents show.

For background and more information on the case, see previous coverage here.