OTTAWA — Jury deliberations continued this morning in the case of a 27-year-old Ottawa man accused of raping a 4-year-girl two years ago at his wife’s daycare. Shortly before noon, the Franklin County jury had been in deliberations concerning the charges against Eric Scrutchfield for more than seven hours. Wednesday afternoon, the jury requested to rewatch video-taped interviews of the girl and of the police interrogation of Scrutchfield. This morning, the jury requested to see the DNA evidence against Scrutchfield, and to re-hear testimony from Scrutchfield about one particular incident. However, the judge refused a request by the jury for all the DNA evidence, saying they couldn’t see that evidence that wasn’t presented in court testimony. Scrutchfield of Ottawa has been charged with rape, aggravated criminal sodomy and lewd and lacivious behavior.
Thursday, March 7, 1 p.m.
