Jury hears opening statements in trial of Loyalhanna man, 29, accused of teen rape

The lawyer for a Loyalhanna man accused of the rape of a teenage boy told a Westmoreland County jury on Wednesday that his client was the victim of a lie.

Michael S. Snyder, 29, is charged with eight offenses including rape, statutory sexual assault, corruption of a minor and other counts in connection with allegations he plied a teenage boy with alcohol in 2016 then forced him to have sex.

“Michael Snyder will testify,” defense attorney Tim Dawson told jurors during his opening statement. “He wants to testify and he will testify. He will deny these charges.”

Prosecutors contend the sexual activity occurred in 2016.

Assistant District Attorney Anthony Iannamorelli said Snyder’s accuser should be believed. He dismissed an anticipated defense argument that casts doubt about the teen’s story because he waited more than a year to report his allegations to police.

“These are crimes of shame and secrets, and that makes it hard to come out,” Iannamorelli told jurors. “There are so many layers of shame.”

Testimony in the trial before Westmoreland County Court Judge Rita Hathaway is expected to begin when the trial resumes Thursday morning.