Hardin County Court Denies Clapsaddle’s Bid for New Trial; Victim’s Credibility to be Reassessed on August 27th

Hardin County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Christopher has denied two motions filed by the defense attorney for Dustin Clapsaddle to have his guilty verdicts overturned or a new trial be granted.

However, Judge Christopher did set a hearing to determine whether the victim in the case lied under oath at a hearing held on June 25.

Clapsaddle was found guilty on one count each of rape, sexual battery, gross sexual imposition, and kidnapping following a four-day jury trial last month.

In his ruling, Judge Christopher denied the motion for acquittal filed under Criminal Rule 29.

He also denied the motion for a mistrial and a new trial filed under Criminal Rule 33 stating that the defendant failed to meet even the minimum requirements.

Clapsaddle was scheduled to be sentenced on August 27, but that date will used for a hearing that will be strictly limited to the issue of whether the victim lied under oath at an early morning hearing that was held just before the actual jury trial started.