Photo by NASHUA POLICE Bruce Hanson, 61, of 5 Trombly Terrace, Nashua

NASHUA – What was to be Nashua resident Bruce Hanson’s second of three Superior Court trials on sexual assault-related allegations was abruptly canceled on the eve of jury selection – after prosecutors dropped all of the six charges on which Hanson was to be tried.

The lead prosecutor, Assistant County Attorney Brian Greklek-McKeon, didn’t return a phone message seeking comment on the matter.

Hanson’s lawyer, Nashua attorney Eric Wilson, chose not to comment, calling the development “a prosecutorial decision” and referring questions to Greklek-McKeon.

In documents Greklek-McKeon filed notifying the court the charges were being dropped, the “reason for” box was left blank, and none of the related documents contain an explanation.

Jury selection had been scheduled to take place Monday, with testimony to begin either this week or next week. Hanson was to be tried on two counts each of trafficking – involuntary servitude; aggravated felonious sexual assault – threaten retaliation; and prostitution – force or intimidation.

The decision to drop the charges comes about two weeks after a Superior Court jury, after roughly 45 minutes of deliberations, found Hanson, 62, not guilty on two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault.

The charges, both special felonies, accused him of engaging in sexual acts with a woman without her consent, and doing so through the use of force, between March 1 and July 1, 2013, according to the indictments.

Now, barring any unanticipated developments, Hanson will go to trial early next month on the final three charges of the 11-page indictment: one count each of trafficking – involuntary servitude; aggravated felonious sexual assault – threaten retaliation; and prostitution – force or intimidation.

Jury selection is currently scheduled for Dec. 2, with testimony to begin either that week or the week of Dec. 9.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256, or at dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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