Day One Recap of Charles Castle Trial

Opening statements were completed and witnesses are now being called at the Charles Castle trial in Hardin County Common Pleas Court.

In his opening, Prosecutor Brad Bailey stated that November 10, 2021, when the 7 year old girl was taken from her home, was Castle’s birthday.

Bailey theorized that Castle was going to “give himself a present.”

That, said Bailey, was why he went to her home at 602 South Leighton Street where he allegedly got her into his van and drove off.

Bailey said evidence will show that the little girl was sexually molested which he said will be backed up with DNA evidence.

Bailey also pointed out several inconsistencies in comments made by Castle to investigators.

He said Castle, who was at the girl’s house that evening, claimed he left the residence and went right home.

Bailey said though they have evidence that will show he purchased whiskey and even attended a party.

After first claiming to not have been drinking that night, Castle allegedly told FBI investigators that he was drunk and doesn’t remember what happened.

Bailey also said they intend to show that Castle was on the move that night, backed up by tracking his cell phone. His direction of travel was south. The girl was found in an abandoned house on County Road 180 south of Kenton on Friday November 12.

Bailey also said that a witness will testify and connect Castle to that property several months earlier.

In her brief opening, Defense Attorney Elizabeth Smith admitted that whoever committed the crime deserves to stand trial, but she said evidence will show that Castle is not that person.

She asked jurors to pay attention to witness statements and the inconsistencies that they will hear.

Smith called her client an “easy target” because he does not live a traditional lifestyle.

She stated that once investigators heard about Castle, they discontinued the investigation.

Witnesses included Emily Roy, the Communications Coordinator for the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

She pointed out information on the CAD Sheet on the morning of November 11, 2021 when the girl’s mom first reported her daughter missing. The 9-1-1 recording of the call was then played.

Kenton Police Officer Chad Fenwick then took the stand. He was the lead officer to first arrive at the Leighton Street address to investigate the missing child call.

Body camera video showing that a thorough search of the house was conducted was played for jurors.

The morning was closed out with the girl’s father Tyson Hurt.

One of the things he testified to was a statement made by his daughter while she was at Children’s Hospital in Columbus. He said that his daughter told him Chuck, as she calls him, asked her if he could do a sexually explicit act.

On cross, Smith attempted to paint Hurt as having a bad temper, something that he denied.

She also painted him as a marijuana smoker, something he readily admitted. She inquired about a man who he borrowed money from at one time. Hurt said the amount was $800 to pay rent.

Smith asked if he owed him or anyone money for drugs. Hurt said he has no such debt to anyone.

Testimony continues this (Tuesday) afternoon, and the trial is scheduled for two weeks.

So far, the jury in the Charles Castle trial has heard from seven witnesses called by Prosecutor Brad Bailey.

In the afternoon, that included from the girl’s mother Jennifer Trosin-Stoops, who said that today (July12) is her daughters 8th birthday.

She gave a description of how her daughter is doing today stating that she is not yet fully functioning.

Trosin-Stoops stated that her daughter keeps telling her she is broken and sometimes breaks down and cries.

The mother added that doctors have told her she has some brain damage that may cause permanent disabilities.

On cross examination, Defense Attorney Elizabeth Smith inquired about marijuana use in the house.

Trosin-Stoops admitted that she and her boyfriend, Trinity’s dad Ty Hurt do smoke marijuana on a regular basis.

Trosin-Stoops said she smoked some the morning she discovered her daughter missing on November 11, 2021. She said she often does in the morning as a way to calm her down and start a day.

Prosecutor Bailey also called Greg Patton to the witness stand. He testified that in the Spring of 2021, Castle, who he knew socially and through his son’s employment, called him and asked about the property on County Road 180.

Patton said Castle asked if the house was abandoned or if anyone is living there.

When the news broke that the girl was missing, and Castle was named as a person of interest, Patton said he had a gut feeling that led him to notify law police, which led to the girl’s discovery in the basement of the home on 180.

When asked if Castle was present in the court room, Patton was not able to positively identify the defendant sitting not too far from him.

Patton stated that it had been some years since he saw him last and his appearance may have changed. He remembered Castle having a full beard.

On cross, Patton said he never heard or saw Castle’s name in the news, but it was a missing person alert that led him to notify police.

Smith also asked if it was in fact in the Spring of that year that Castle inquired about the property. She asked, “would you be surprised to know your son indicated it was just one or two months before Trinity went missing?”Patton said he was pretty sure it was in the Spring.

Testimony was also provided by Det. Scott Willoby from the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office.

He was dispatched to 180 where he found the little girl in the basement.

The detective said he shined his flashlight through a window on the basement door and saw a child waiving at him.

Willoby stated that when he first talked to her, one of the first things she said was that she didn’t understand why “Charlie” pushed her down the stairs.

There has been testimony that the family, including the girl, referred to Castle only as Chuck, but never Charlie.

Detective Willoby said the girl told him that on the night of November 10, Charlie called for her from the bottom of the stairs in her home to come to him, which she did.

She said she was allowed to ride in the front seat of Charley’s van.

The girl is also said to have stated she remembers hearing her dad asking where his daughter was, but that Charlie lied when he said he didn’t know.

Willowby also identified a number of items, including clothing and cell phones obtained from Castle’s RV he lives in and from his van.

He also said numerous DNA swabs were obtained from Castle, Tyson Hurt and Jennifer Trosin-Stoops.

Those swabs have been analyzed by the BCI.

Testimony will continue Wednesday.

Castle is on trial on multiple charges including rape and attempted murder.

The trial is scheduled to run through next week.