Crime & Safety

Inver Grove Heights Man Speaks Out After Acquittal

Michael Joseph Hall, 48, was acquitted of all charges on June 7 but told Patch the ordeal has been incredibly difficult for him and his family.

A 48-year-old Inver Grove Heights man was acquitted on June 7 of two felony counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. 

Michael Joseph Hall was after a mentally-impaired woman told police he made several sexual remarks to her and eventually "put his hand behind her back under her shirt and attempted to 'get into her private areas'."

Hall has maintained since his arrest that he never had any contact with the woman. 

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He contacted Patch a day after his acquittal to "set the record straight." 

"I am grateful that the legal process works, I always knew that the truth would come out, and I'm thankful to have an attorney that was willing to fight for the truth," Hall said. "(I'm thankful for) a strong family bond so that we were able to keep our heads during this dark time in our lives." 

Find out what's happening in Inver Grove Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Hall continued: "What people do not understand is that when an unwarranted accusation like this is made, it not only affects me, but the lives my wife and children as well."  

Despite the ordeal Hall told Patch he doesn't harbor any hostility toward his accuser, he just hopes for reform in the mental health system. 

"It saddens me that the mental health system is not keeping better track of their patients' behavior and anyone else who may also be unjustly accused."

Hall also confirmed that he has retained legal counsel regarding the treatment of the case by the Inver Grove Heights police department and the Dakota County Attorney's Office. 

He could not comment further. 


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