Jury deliberating in child rape trial

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XENIA — A jury will continue deliberating today, Aug. 15, in the trial for a Fairborn man accused of raping a child younger than 13.

Two separate indictments in Greene County Common Pleas Court show Justin Reeves, 33, was charged with a total of 15 counts related to engaging in sexual conduct with the minor in 2017 and 2018.

Judge Michael Buckwalter released the jury for deliberation around 2 p.m. Aug. 14, the third day of the trial. Jurors were left to recall testimony from both the victim and the defendant.

The now-12-year-old girl took the stand Tuesday for the state.

In a hand-written letter, acquired during the investigation and presented in court, the girl described the incidents that allegedly happened in a Fairborn home.

“He did it to me four times, three awake,” the letter reads. “[Defendant] said to me, ‘Do you want to do it’. I said ‘NO!’”

Several questions were raised surrounding dreams — including whether or not the defendant had performed one of the acts in his sleep.

Reeves took the stand Wednesday morning, vehemently denying all allegations.

“There was never any sexual incidences at any time,” he said. “I’ve never sexually molested anyone.”

Both attorneys told the jury during closing arguments that, ultimately, deciding the case all comes down to credibility.

“When you have a he-said, she-said (case), the only way to discern the truth is to look at the talkers and judge their credibility,” Assistant Prosecutor Bill Morrison said. “The state submits to you that [victim] is the one to believe and when you believe her, that is beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Defense Attorney Adam Arnold argued that the window of time was too broad and that there was no physical evidence.

“I told you that this case was a result of a poor investigation that led to a false conclusion,” Arnold said. “Hold him (pointing to Morrison) to his burden. That’s his (pointing to Reeves) constitutional right.”

The jury went home for the night around 5:30 p.m.

Anna Bolton | Greene County News Judge Michael Buckwalter holds up a time-out hand signal as defendant Justin Reeves responds to questions from Assistant Prosecutor Bill Morrison during trial Aug. 14.
https://www.fairborndailyherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2019/08/web1_Reeves-2.jpgAnna Bolton | Greene County News Judge Michael Buckwalter holds up a time-out hand signal as defendant Justin Reeves responds to questions from Assistant Prosecutor Bill Morrison during trial Aug. 14.

By Anna Bolton

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