Jury trial gets underway today in case of rape, indecent liberties

A jury trial in the case of a man facing felony charges of rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child is scheduled to begin today in Bourbon County District Court.

Jury selection took place Tuesday in the case of Brady F. Toole, who is charged with six counts of rape and four counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, according to Bourbon County court records.

Information on Toole's age now or at the time the alleged offenses took place, as well as his hometown, were not available Tuesday.

Bourbon County District Judge Mark Ward issued some instructions to a 12-member jury assembled Tuesday and told jurors to "use those instructions in making a decision" at the conclusion of the trial.

Ward said the trial would begin with opening statements from attorneys. After conferring with jurors, Ward said he hoped to start proceedings by 8:40 a.m. today. Four days, including Tuesday, have been set aside for completion of the trial.

Ward told jurors after all evidence has been submitted, he will provide further instructions and at the end of the trial, jurors will "retire to deliberate on a verdict," Ward said.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Bourbon County on Aug. 18, 2014, the charges stem from actions that took place in 2007 against a child who is/was under 14 years of age.

According to court records, Toole had a first appearance in court Sept. 4, 2014 and a preliminary hearing took place Sept. 15, 2015. Arraignment and felony plea took place Oct. 16, 2015.

The defendant's attorney is Robert Myers, a Columbus lawyer. Representing the prosecution is Elizabeth Sweeney-Reeder, a lawyer in Paola.