Ex-Radnor pol guilty in fondling case of woman, 103
Spingler admitted touching breast of woman, 103
MEDIA COURTHOUSE » Former Radnor Township Commissioner William Spingler was convicted on two counts of indecent assault on a person with a mental disability Thursday after admitting that he twice fondled a 103-year-old woman’s breast.
“It was a stupid, harmless act that destroyed my life,” said Spingler on the stand Thursday. “I mean, my reputation is destroyed, my business is destroyed. It was just something that I shouldn’t have done.”
Spingler, 75, of Paoli, was found not guilty of a third count that he denied took place. The jury deliberated about two hours before delivering a verdict.
Spingler was the first Democrat to join the Radnor Board of Commissioners in 1970. He also served as a county commissioner from 1972 to 1980 before returning to the Radnor board in 1991. He stayed in office until 2015, stepping down as president.
Spingler was arrested Dec. 23, 2016, after the third alleged assault. The other two had taken place Dec. 15 and Dec. 17.
He told defense attorney James Pierce that he has known the victim 57 years and said she lived with him for eight years before she was placed in the Genesis Healthcare Wayne Center in Radnor in August 2015.
The victim is diagnosed with dementia, but Spingler said she usually recognized him during his frequent visits. That changed at a birthday party Dec. 8, when Spingler said she did not recognize him at all. It was the same when Spingler visited again Dec. 15, he said.
“I got nothing, no recognition out of her and I made the biggest mistake of my life,” he said. “I thought for shock value, you know, I could get her to say something, let her know I was there. I touched her breast. It was the dumbest thing I ever did, but I did it to get her attention and let her know that I was there.”
Spingler said he again attempted to get the victim’s attention by fondling her breast Dec. 17, but denied any sexual contact on Dec. 23.
Spingler admitted the first two instances took place in the dining hall underneath a blanket draped over the victim’s chest as described by employees, but denied any wrongdoing in the third incident.
“If I did it, I would tell you I did it, I’ve got nothing to hide,” he said.
Also testifying Thursday was Radnor Township Police Chief William Colarulo, who arrested Spingler with other officers at his Paoli condominium. Colarulo said he told Spingler that he would explain what was happening when they got to the police station, but Spingler said he already knew.
“(Spingler said) ‘I know what this is about. This is about me rubbing (the victim’s) breasts. I do it to get her going,’” said Colarulo. “That’s exactly what he said. ‘I do it to get her going.’ …He said, ‘When I see her, I’ll kiss her on the mouth, I’ll rub her breasts to make he feel good about herself. Sometimes she says “no,” but that’s all it is, that’s all there is to it.’ Something to that effect.”
Spingler told Assistant District Attorney Ryan Grace on cross examination that he intended the phrase “get her going” to mean he was trying to get the victim to recognize him. Spingler also claimed that his comment about her saying “no” referred to times when she did not recognize him as he tried to hug her goodbye.
When pressed on whether his intentions were for sexual gratification, Spingler became defensive and asked the prosecutor, “Are you kidding me? Are you serious?”
Spingler said he never explained his actions to the staff, but noted they also never questioned him. He said he was embarrassed and never would have touched the victim again after the second assault.
“I’m sorry that I decided somewhere that by touching her breast I could get her attention,” he said. “It was just awful.”
Spingler is scheduled for sentencing Sept. 28 pending a presentence investigation and psychosexual evaluation. He will also undergo an evaluation by the state Sexual Offenders Assessment Board to determine whether he meets the criteria for a sexually violent predator.
Spingler remains free on $10,000 unsecured bail. Judge John Capuzzi denied Grace’s motion to place him on electronic home monitoring prior to sentencing.