Another high-profile case is also being continued due to court being halted at the Mercer County Courthouse because of COVID exposure.
45-year-old James Eric Haley of Viola is awaiting trial on 16 felony counts stemming from a child porn investigation. His latest pre-trial was supposed to be Monday, but has been re-set for Dec. 1, which is the same day newly elected Mercer County State’s Attorney Grace Simpson is sworn-in.
Haley was arrested in August of 2019 and was released on a $500,000 recognizance bond in early March. The 16 felony counts are in connection with allegations involving a 15-year-old girl.