Judge reduces charge to second-degree rape

CANTON — A felony rape charge was reduced Wednesday for a Canton man accused of raping a 12-year-old girl last month, prosecutors said.

Village Judge William J. Galvin reduced the first-degree rape charge against Jason S. Cullen, 40, of 51 Law Lane, to second-degree rape, also a felony, because of a lack of evidence to support the higher rape charge after a preliminary hearing, St. Lawrence County Assistant District Attorney Victoria M. Esposito said. A St. Lawrence County grand jury now will hear the case.

The 12-year-old girl and her mother testified at the hearing, prosecutors said.

The judge sent him back to St. Lawrence County jail on $5,000 bail or $10,000 bond. Cullen had been locked up on $30,000 bail. He was represented by Chief Assistant Public Defender Stephen D. Button.