Jury Deliberations Underway In Child Rape Trial

The second day of testimony in the trial of Russell Jolliffe, 33 of Fredricktown began with his defense attorney offering Jolliffe’s live in girlfriend as a witness to take the stand. Jolliffe is facing rape of a child and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child charges among others. Jolliffe’s girlfriend, Joanna Wheatley took the stand and defended Jolliffe. She denied all allegations of sexual assault of a child blanketly stating that none of the statements are true and that Jolliffe was never alone with any children. The prosecution pointed out that Wheatly is also accused in this case as a conspirator. Jolliffe himself took the stand in his own defense. He described his relationship with Wheatly. He pointed to inconsistencies that he felt were notable in the live testimony and recorded forensic interview of the alleged victim. He flatly denied all allegations also saying that the alleged victim was coached before the trial. The case was handed over to the jury at 4:00 PM on Wednesday for deliberations.