After a month long deliberation, we have a verdict in the Dennis Dellifield trial out of Hardin County Common Pleas Court.
"It is the finding of the court that beyond a reasonable doubt as to all essential elements the defendant is guilty of counts 3 and count 7, each being a charge of attempted illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material each being a felony of the third degree," announced Judge Scott Barrett.
Along with those two along with along with those two charges, Dellifield was found guilty on two charges of attempted illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material or performance, misdemeanors of the first degree. He was also facing four counts of pandering obscenity involving a minor, which Dellifield was found not guilty on.
Because he waived his right to trial by jury, the decisions were left to Barrett. He asked both councils on February 2nd to provide their definitions of "obscenity". Barrett used a three part test to determine obscenity. Back on February 12, 2016 Dellifield texted a former student of his, who at the time was 16 years old, asking for a picture of his genitalia. He sent two texts to the minor before apologizing the following day. Barrett ruled that child pornography is not protected free speech and Dellifield's apology was not a renunciation of the crime. Barrett found Dellifield guilty on four charges because he found beyond reasonable doubt that he did attempt to produce nude material into existence, as defined by the State of Ohio.
Dellifield's sentence hearing is schedule for April 19, 2018. Prosecutor Bradford Bailey said Dellifield could face up to three years in prison.
