WESTFIELD – A charge of indecent assault and battery lodged against a former Westfield State University administrator about a year ago will not be prosecuted.
Joseph Shinn, 63, of 46 Stage Road, Chesterfield, was arraigned Oct. 4, 2011, on a single charge of indecent assault and battery on a person 14 years-of-age or older after a student who worked in his office and also had been a baby sitter for his family for several years complained to WSU police that the man had sexually assaulted her over a period of years.
The woman said she had also complained to Chesterfield police.
Shinn was arraigned in Westfield District Court but on Friday Judge Philip Contant allowed a nolle prosequi motion by Assistant District Attorney Frederick J. Burns who reported that “The Commonwealth does not have access to documents necessary for prosecution.”
Burns said in the motion that the decision not to prosecute the case would be re-evaluated if the Commonwealth obtains access to the documents needed.
Because some of the alleged incidents occurred in Chesterfield which is in the jurisdiction of the Northwestern District Attorney, that office also reportedly considered filing charges but, in a motion filed in April, defense attorney David P. Hoose asked for access to exculpatory evidence while led to a decision by the Northwestern District Attorney not to bring charges against Shinn.
