Ex-Miss Hall’s instructor faces rape charges for years of abuse

A private-school teacher at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield, MA, Matthew Rutledge, 64, has been charged with grooming and raping two former students—now adults—over years dating back to 2001–2005 and 2007–2010. Prosecutors, who initially said the acts weren’t illegal due to the victims’ ages, later charged him with three counts of rape. Rutledge resigned in 2024 amid the allegations; the school says it’s cooperating with investigators, and the victims have advocated for a law closing the loophole. Rutledge was arraigned, pleaded not guilty, and was released on personal recognizance with a pre-trial date set for June 18.