Fate of Charles Castle Now in the Hands of the Jury

Closing arguments have been presented, and the fate of Charles Castle is now in the hands of the jury.

The seven women and five men will deliberate on 16 charges against Castle, including attempted murder, rape and kidnapping.

Castle is accused of kidnapping the then seven year old girl from her home on South Leighton Street on the night of November 10, 2021.

She was reported missing the next morning.

The girl was found in the basement of an abandoned house on County Road 180 on the night of November 12.

In his closing, Prosecutor Brad Bailey reminded the jury about DNA evidence that matched the girl, which was found on the inside area of jeans belonging to Castle.

He said DNA of Castle was also found around the neck of the girl as well as inside her labia.

Bailey also pointed out Castle’s changing story that he gave to two investigators as to his whereabouts on the night the girl went missing.

After visiting the girl’s house that evening, Castle told the BCI investigator that he went right home to bed because he was sick. He also stated that he doesn’t drink.

The second testimony was provided to an FBI agent. He told him that he went to Village Pantry to use the restroom, he remembered going to his cousin’s apartment to smoke  marijuana and also to France Lake where he stayed around an hour.

During the second interview with the BCI agent, Castle can be heard stating that he doesn’t remember much about the evening, because he was drunk.

Testimony was provided that put him at Rite Aid at just after 7 that evening where he purchased whiskey, and at a party on Scioto Street that night.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Smith told the jury, Castle is not the man who committed this horrific crime.

She claimed the Kenton Police Department and Hardin County Sheriff’s Office heard about Castle and determined him to be an easy target.

She said once that happened, the investigation was stopped.

She pointed out that another man, who is similar in appearance to her client, was never thoroughly investigated.

As to the DNA evidence, Smith said that may sound good, but she attempted to cast doubt on how the DNA ended up where it did.

She said transfer of DNA is common especially in cases were people are in the same area, such as Castle visiting the house on a regular basis.

She said it wouldn’t be uncommon for Castle and the girl sharing the bathroom facilities or using the same towel, which could allow for an innocent transfer of DNA.

Smith said, “we may never know who committed this crime since it was never thoroughly investigated.”

The jury began deliberations at around 2:10 Monday (July 18) afternoon.