MOUNT VERNON — After three days of testimony involving a dozen witnesses, a Knox County jury found Michael Greywolf guilty of two counts of rape late Thursday afternoon.
Greywolf was charged with forcible rape and rape of a child less than 13 years of age for a course of conduct with a now-teenage victim. The jury deliberated for about four hours after hearing evidence, including testimony from the defendant.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Christine Williams presented the case. Knox County Sheriff’s Detective Matt White investigated the incident.
The jury heard from investigators, forensic examiners, and family members during the trial. It also heard from an expert witness who explained some of the victim’s behavior based on autism.
In addition, the jury heard evidence concerning two prior cases in which Greywolf sexually assaulted young females under similar circumstances.
Before trial, Greywolf elected to have sexual predator specifications, which were included in the indictment, tried to the bench. (Tried to the bench means before a judge only.)
After accepting the verdict, Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel set a May 1 hearing date for the sexual-predator specifications.
According to Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville, sexual-predator specifications would enhance the potential sentences that would be imposed on the defendant.
“Ordinarily, forcible rape is a first-degree felony carrying a three- to 11-year sentence, while rape of a child under 13 carries a sentence of 10 years to life,” McConville said. “If found guilty of the sexual predator specifications, forcible rape carries a penalty of 10 years to life, and the rape of a child under 13 carries a sentence of 25 years to life.”
Greywolf has prior rape convictions from Tennessee (1988) and Knox County (2001).
Judge Wetzel set sentencing in the case for May 8.