WQIO Ohio's Super Station
Testimony is underway in the bench trial of Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr., who is facing 32 felony charges involving allegations of sexual abuse against four women when they were children.
Keesee waived his right to a jury trial Tuesday after about four hours of jury selection. The case is now being heard by Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel, who will determine whether Keesee is guilty or not guilty.
Opening statements were presented Wednesday, followed by testimony from one of the women accusing Keesee of abuse. Prosecutors allege the four victims were between 6 and 15 years old when the alleged offenses occurred.
The charges include 13 counts of rape, 14 counts of gross sexual imposition and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. Prosecutors say the alleged offenses occurred between 2002 and 2016, while other court reporting has described an earlier start date. The differences reflect differing descriptions of the alleged conduct and the charging documents.
During opening statements, special prosecutor Darcy Cook told the judge prosecutors expect to present testimony from all four women. The defense characterized the allegations as part of what it called a campaign against Faith Life Church and argued that the accounts were influenced by information circulating online.
Keesee has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
