NORTHAMPTON Social media giants Facebook and AOL Instant Messaging must turn over material to the defense lawyer representing the founder of the Pioneer Arts Center of Easthampton, who is charged with the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl there, a Hampshire Superior Court judge has ruled.

Judge Mary-Lou Rup ruled Wednesday that lawyer David Hoose, who represents David Fried Oppenheim, 38, should be given access to July 2010 Facebook postings from a witness in the case, and that AOL instant messages to the alleged victim also be released.

Hoose has said those instant messages, which the prosecution claims were sent by Fried Oppenheim, were sent by someone else.

The social media records must be turned over to the court clerks office by Jan. 12, Rup ruled.

Both sides are due back in court Jan. 20 for pretrial hearings on several aspects of the case, including what questions can be asked of potential jurors. Jury selection is set for Jan. 23.

Assistant Northwestern District Attorney Linda Pisano has asked to expand the time frame of the alleged sexual assaults to October 2005. Fried Oppenheim currently is charged with assaulting the girl from March 2006 to June 2007.

Authorities allege he took advantage of the 14-year-old girl, to whom he gave private acting lessons at PACE.

ETTA WALSH