The step-daughter took the stand Wednesday morning
Day 2 testimony in the rape trial of Washington CH resident Gary Freeland is underway in Ross County Common Pleas Court.
The second of three alleged victims testified this morning, claiming she was molested after baths and raped once by Gary Freeland.
The defense attempted to conflicting statements they claimed she gave between about more and different accounts, that were given to Chillicothe and Fayette County authorities.
The step-daughter claims she has forgiven Freeland, for her own sake.
***2 p.m. Update***
The third of three alleged victims has finished testifying: the son of a friend who Freeland had tutored. An energetic young adult, he gave specific but sometimes analytical descriptions, spiced with sexual slang.
The defense has not contested charges but continues to pick at conflicting or incomplete statements that were made a few years ago and regarded incidents that occurred 18 years and were experienced by children.
At one point, the defense almost argued with the witness, who responded with sarcastic glibness.
***3:30 p.m. Update***
A Chillicothe police officer and a detective of the Ross County Sheriff's Office took the stand after the lunch break, and the investigative timeline was combed through in detail.
The executive director of the Ross County Child Protection Center took the stand, and she explained the concept of delayed disclosure, where victims may not be able to talk about some or all of a traumatic situation, sometimes for years.
The prosecution has rested, and the trial will resume at 8:30 a.m., Thursday.
