A Fairfield man on trial in Wayne County Circuit Court accused of sexually assaulting a child under the age of 13 was found NOT GUILTY Tuesday afternoon. 28-year-old Jordan M Jones was facing five Class-X felony charges of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Minor. Jones was facing a sentence ranging from six to 60 years for each of the five charges. A Wayne County Grand Jury indicted Jones on August 20th, 2024 and he had remained in the Wayne County Jail since his arrest on August 12th.
Jury selection for the trial began Monday with Judge, Denton Aud of Carmi presiding over the trial and following lunch, State’s Attorney Kyle Ellis gave opening statements followed by Jones’ Attorney, Amanda Levanti of Benton giving the defenses opening statement. The State called four subjects to testify Monday. On Tuesday morning, the trial resumed with State’s Attorney, Kyle Ellis representing the prosecution and the defendant, Jones present alongside Attorney Levanti. State’s Attorney Ellis called the alleged victim to testify via a closed circuit, a method agreed upon by both parties. Attorney Levanti conducted the cross-examination, navigating the delicate nature of the testimony. Once the State presented its agreed-upon Trial Evidence Stipulation, which was read to the jury, they rested their case. The defense then took its turn, calling three witnesses to the stand, allowing the State to cross-examine each one. After a brief recess, Jones himself took the stand, and once again, the State had the opportunity for cross-examination. With the defense resting their case, the State decided not to present any rebuttal evidence.
With the proceedings moving forward, the defense argued a Motion for Directed Verdict, a motion they had previously deferred until the close of their case. The court, considering the evidence denied the motion, clarifying on the record that it would have been denied even if made at the end of the State’s case.
As the court took a recess for lunch, the jury was excused. Following the recess, the parties gathered for a jury instruction conference before returning for closing arguments with State’s Attorney Ellis delivering the State’s closing argument, summarizing the evidence, followed by Attorney Levanti’s defense closing. Ellis then provided a rebuttal, adding further weight to the arguments presented. After the jury instructions were read, the jury retreated to deliberate at 1:46 p.m. A verdict was reached a little after 3 o’clock and the jury foreperson announced the verdicts: on all counts of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Child, the jury found the defendant, Jordan Jones, Not Guilty. With the jury’s unanimous decision, Jones was acquitted on all counts.
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