The Allen County Grand Jury indicted Catlett on counts of rape, kidnapping, and gross sexual imposition. Catlett was previously sentenced to four years in prison back in 2018 on a first-degree kidnapping charge. Closing arguments were presented in the case, with both the state and defense presenting their final arguments before the jury was dismissed to deliberate.
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ALLEN COUNTY, OH (WLIO) - The alleged victim in a rape case addressed the court during the first day of a Lima man's jury trial.
Early Thursday afternoon, the jury was handed the evidence and headed into deliberation in the trial of John Kehoe. As of 7 p.m. Thursday night, the jury couldn't come to a decision and need more time deliberate. They will continue on Friday morning. The defense chose not to present any evidence to start day three of the trial. So the jury heard closing arguments before they started deciding on Kehoe's three rape charges. The state says they've proven all the elements in the charges and that Kehoe has no credibility after lying to the detective. The defense says Kehoe acted as anyone would when speaking to police. The defense pointed out things in the evidence to say this was a consensual matter and Kehoe was scared because he cheated.
A little over half an hour is all it took for the jury to return a decision in the trial against Avery Ward. The 12 member jury found him guilty on one count each of rape and felonious assault. During closing arguments the state asked the jury, how could they ignore what the victim had testified?
Allen County Common Pleas Court is still reeling from the medical emergencies of a few court-appointed attorneys. 36-year-old John Kehoe appeared in court today (8/8/19) and was filled in on the medical condition of his attorney Steve Chamberlain. He suffered a medical emergency and was expecting to be out of work through this month. Kehoe previously pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape. With Chamberlain out, his trial date of Sept. 3 has now been vacated.
Allen County Common Pleas Court has decided to address some of the defendants represented by attorney Steve Chamberlain. This after a shortage of court appointed attorneys. Everett Ward and several others represented by Chamberlain were notified by Judge Jeffrey Reed of Chamberlain's medical issues. Ward had a motion hearing scheduled last week, but it was continued.