Syndicated Local

Bar Owner Accused Of Raping Woman He Said He'd Help

March 31, 2014 / 7:13 PM EDT / CBS Pittsburgh

VERSAILLES (KDKA) – A local bar owner is accused of raping a woman, after she says he promised to help with a fundraiser for her late brother.

It was February 19th when the 26-year-old woman went to Todd's By the Bridge bar, commonly referred to as the Bridge Tap House and Grill in Versailles.

The woman says at 10:30 she got to the bar and was hanging out with friends.

The victim says she got a text message from the bar's owner, Todd Arthrell around 1:30 a.m. asking if she wanted to hang out after the bar closed.

The woman who'd known Arthrell for six-years, and had a previous sexual relationship with him, on this night replied, "sure but no sexual activities, ok?"

Monday in court the victim testified that she only decided to stay at the bar after hours because she says Arthrell had promised to help with a benefit for her late brother who had passed away two weeks prior to cancer.

She told the court she thought Arthrells intentions were pure because he'd already placed a can on the bar collecting money.

The victim testified that she'd been drinking that night before the bar closed. She says after Arthrell closed the bar the two started drinking shots.

At one point, Arthrell reportedly put his hand down her pants and up her shirt. She says she told him to stop and to knock it off.

The victim told police Arthrell poured more shots which made her so drunk she can only remember pieces of what happened afterwards.

The victim says she came to while Arthrell was on top of her having sex. Arthrell's defense attorney refuted the claims.

Bill Difenderfer said, "I wish that credibility would be a factor at these hearings because if they would be a factor this case would've been thrown out. Clearly I think the allegations are false. Were gonna have to do it the hard way and that's the upsetting thing."

Arthrell will have his formal arraignment for rape and sexual assault charges May 22nd.

Rape
Cancer