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The bench trial of Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr. concluded Tuesday in Knox County Common Pleas Court following closing arguments, with Judge Richard Wetzel expected to announce his verdict next month.
Keesee originally faced 32 felony charges involving allegations of sexual abuse against four women when they were children. Five of those counts were dismissed during the trial after one of the accusers became too distraught to complete her testimony, leaving 27 charges for the judge to consider. Keesee has pleaded not guilty and denies the allegations.
The four-day bench trial followed Keesee’s decision to waive his right to a jury trial on September 29. Judge Wetzel has therefore been hearing the testimony and evidence and will determine whether prosecutors proved the remaining charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
Closing arguments
During Tuesday’s closing arguments, special prosecutor Jenny Wells argued that the testimony presented by the alleged victims was sufficient to support convictions and that testimony from other witnesses corroborated their accounts.
Wells argued that the evidence showed Keesee wanted the alleged abuse to remain secret and emphasized the strength and courage she said it took for the women to come forward.
The defense took a different position, arguing that prosecutors had not established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Attorney Sam Shamansky has maintained throughout the trial that the allegations were part of what the defense characterized as a campaign against Keesee and Faith Life Church, and that information about the allegations circulated among the women before they came forward.
The defense has also pointed to what it described as inconsistencies in the women’s accounts and a lack of physical evidence or other independent evidence supporting the allegations.
The prosecution has argued that the accounts were independently credible and that other testimony and evidence supported the women’s allegations.
Verdict set for November 6
The trial is now over, but there will not be an immediate verdict.
Judge Wetzel has ordered the attorneys to submit written closing briefs in the coming weeks. According to the latest reporting, prosecutors will then have an opportunity to respond to the defense’s brief.
Wetzel has scheduled November 6 for the announcement of his verdict.
Because this is a bench trial, there will be no jury deliberations. Judge Wetzel alone will determine whether Keesee is guilty or not guilty on each of the remaining charges.
Keesee remains free on bond while awaiting the verdict. His bond was previously set at one million dollars, with the court allowing him to post 10 percent. He has also been ordered to wear a GPS monitor, surrender his passport and have no contact with the alleged victims.
The case stems from allegations involving four women who prosecutors say were minors at the time of the alleged offenses. Keesee previously worked as a youth pastor and chief media officer at Faith Life Church, founded by his parents, Gary and Drenda Keesee.
