Accused Child Molester Withdraws Guilty Plea

Although he admitted in July to molesting a girl under the age of 13, former Hellertown resident Richard Edward Novack, 46, withdrew his guilty plea Thursday, angering Northampton County Judge Paula Roscioli and frustrating Assistant District Attorney Laura Mammana Kash, a story published by the Express-Times indicates.

Novack--who now lives in Frenchtown, New Jersey--had accepted a plea deal that would not have required his registration as a sex offender under Megan's Law and was scheduled to be sentenced this week, but he reportedly told the court Thursday that he's had a change of heart about the deal because he is innocent of the charges.

Novack's alleged victim will now be forced to testify at the trial, which could begin as early as Monday, according to the article.

Attorney Matthew Potts, who is representing Novack, declined to comment on the turn of events, it also indicated.

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