MERCER CO., Pa. (EYT) — Venango County Senior Judge H. William White is at the center of a current case against Mercer County District Attorney Miles Karson.

Court documents indicate that on Monday, July 2, Judge White heard pre-trial motions from both the defense and the prosecution in the case against 73-year-old Miles K. Karson, of Hermitage.

Senior Judge H. William White is presiding over Senior John C. Reed’s Mercer County courtroom.

The following charges were originally filed against Karson in October of 2017, following allegations that he used his position as District Attorney to influence multiple investigations against a woman with whom he was allegedly romantically involved:

• Obstruct Administration Law/Other Government Function (10 counts)
• Official Oppression-Arrest Search Etc (six counts)
• Hinder Apprehension/Prosecution-Provide Aid

The charges were held for court and transferred to the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas following a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge William L. Fagley on December 20, 2017.

In a July 2 court proceeding, Judge White agreed to consider a request by Karson’s defense team to move the trial; however, the change of venue will only be granted if the defense attorneys can provide adequate evidence as to why the request should be authorized.

According to The Sharon Herald, Alexander Lindsay, Karson’s defense attorney, cited inflammatory blog posts known to be circulating through Mercer County which he claimed to be prejudicial and sufficient reason for a change of venue.

Although Judge White called the provided information insufficient, he did agree to give the defense team until July 30 to present further evidence. The State Attorney General’s office will then have until August 10 to respond.

According to documents, the court intends to schedule a pretrial conference by September 15.

Karson is free on $75,000.00 unsecured bail.