Former Bellefonte school board member charged in assault case allegedly shoving victim out of a moving vehicle
Jack Bechdel II, 58, of Bellefonte, was charged with simple assault, harassment, and driving with a suspended license following the April 2 incident in College Township.
According to the criminal complaint, the woman told officers Bechdel picked her up at her home, drove to a Sheetz on Shiloh Road, and bought her a six-pack of Corona beer. She said the two began arguing about her drinking before the situation turned violent. Bechdel allegedly opened the passenger door while driving and pushed her out of the moving vehicle, causing her left ankle to be run over.
The victim said she got back into the car and asked Bechdel to take her home. Once there, she told police that Bechdel struck her in the face with a closed fist before shoving her from the vehicle into her driveway and driving off.
Police arrived at the scene and observed visible bruising and swelling under the woman's left eye and blood on her hands. Officers later located Bechdel's silver Mitsubishi Mirage at his place of employment, Lowe's. Inside the store, Bechdel admitted to striking the woman, reportedly telling police she hit him first while he was driving, according to the affidavit.
Although Bechdel claimed to have sustained injuries to his face and mouth, police noted no visible trauma. He did show officers a loose tooth but was also observed to have several missing or decaying teeth.
Bechdel was additionally charged with driving on a suspended license, which had been revoked for three months beginning Feb. 11. He acknowledged to police that he was aware of the suspension, according to the complaint.
Bechdel was arraigned on April 3 before Magisterial District Judge Allen W. Sinclair. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 9.
Bechdel submitted a resignation from being a member of the Bellefonte Area School District board, April 4, according to Superintendent Dr. Roy Rakszawski.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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