The Mall Pervert Photographer / Bishop / Stake High Councilman was supposed to appear in court today in Nashville. Has anybody seen if he actually showed up or did the Church get him off?
In a criminal settlement he could pay the victim and ask the court to send him to counseling in an agreement to drop the charges - not sure if that is what is implied here.
Seeing as a trial has been set (same judge, same courtroom) for November 4, I'm going to guess that a plea deal was unsuccessful, and now they go to trial. In my Massachusetts experience, these pre-trial hearings are 1) to attempt a plea deal, and/or for the prosecution to provide evidence, reports, depositions, etc. that will be used, for both sides to list witnesses, and to introduce motions.
Basically, legal preparation with, perhaps, some sparring.