A elderly perv pleaded guilty Friday just seconds before his step-granddaughter was scheduled to testify against him for raping her twice when she was 12-years-old.
Halton Hall, 69 of Cambria Heights, played chicken with Queens prosecutors and waited for his now-20-year-old step-granddaughter to be sworn in on the witness stand before he copped a plea to avoid any prison time.
Hall’s attorney, Alain Messena abruptly seized the proceedings and requested a sidebar conference with prosecutor Majory Fisher and Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard Buchter, witnesses said.
Moments later the jury was escorted out of the courtroom, and Messena announced that Hall would agree to plead guilty to endangering the welfare of a child and receive a one-year conditional discharge.
The victim’s grand-jury testimony was tarnished after the prosecutor informed the court that she recanted some portions.
Hall was facing up to 25 years in prison for first-degree child sex abuse and coercion charges.
“He knows what he did! He’s guilty! He’s guilty! His wife knew about it!” shouted the enraged father of the victim as he stormed out of the courtroom.
The father was escorted escorted from the courtroom but returned for the plea hearing, which was followed by Hall’s sentencing.
“You got afraid when she was about to testify, you got scared and took a plea because you didn’t want your wife to hear what you did, you didn’t want the court to hear what you did, and you didn’t want the jury to know what you did,” said the victim’s mother who added, “You’re a demon!”
Hall waved his hand in disgust and turned his face as she spoke.
“You should be castrated! Next time I see you will be at your funeral, and I’ll piss on your grave,” shouted the angry dad, who continued by lambasting his daughter’s biological grandmother, who stood by her man.
Justice Buchter classified Hall’s actions as “evil” and urged the victim not to blame herself.
“You have a bright future. The best revenge is your success,” said the judge.
Hall and his wife walked out of court together.
Prosecutors will not charge the victim with perjury.