SUNBURY– The manslaughter trial of Victor Hare continues today in Northumberland County Court. The 61-year-old is accused of giving Oxycodone to nine-year-old Korbin Rager in 2014. Yesterday, a half-dozen or so prosecution witnesses testified on the first day of Hare’s trail.
Rager’s half-brother, 16-year-old Christian Rager testified and told of seeing a strange white substance on his sibling’s soda. He also remembers Korbin Rager “acting weird” before both boys fell asleep. The next morning, Christian tried to tell Hare that Korbin was dying but there was a slow response from Hare. Before testifying, Christian was guided into the courtroom in a way to prevent him from seeing the accused and he used a therapy dog.
Point Township Police Chief Josh VanKirk also testified Monday. He spoke of his contact with Hare that day, saying he was an uncaring and disconnected man who was not behaving the way you would expect when a young child dies. Chief Prosecutors Julia Skinner and Michael Seward say they have at least 20 more potential witnesses and it is not know if Hare will take the stand in his own defense. Hare is facing a series of crimes including Korbin’s death and a sexual assault charge. Korbin Rager’s father says Hare deserves the death penalty. Testimony gets underway this morning at the courthouse in Sunbury and is expected to last until Friday. (Chad Hershberger)
