MOUNT VERNON — Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr. will remain in the Licking County Justice Center on a $2 million cash bond following his arraignment Tuesday on additional charges of rape and gross sexual imposition.
Knox County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Wetzel also let stand the trial date set for July 1.
A Knox County grand jury indicted the 36-year-old Keesee on 27 counts of sexual abuse on April 21.
Charges include 11 counts of first-degree rape, 11 counts of gross sexual imposition, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
On May 19, the grand jury indicted the former chief media officer for Faith Life Church on five additional counts: two counts of rape and three counts of gross sexual imposition.
Defense attorney Samuel Shamansky pleaded not guilty to all 32 counts on behalf of his client at Tuesday’s arraignment.
Keesee is the son of Knox County Commissioner Drenda Keesee. Drenda Keesee and her husband, Gary Sr., are pastors at Faith Life Church.
None of the alleged incidents occurred at the church.
Defense attorney concerned about delayed discovery
Shamansky asked Wetzel to consider whether the current $2M bond with no 10% provision is appropriate. He said Keesee is not a flight risk and that he could not think of any scenario under which Keesee would flee.
Saying $200,000 is not unreasonable, Shamansky requested that Wetzel add the 10% provision and accept Keesee’s house as collateral. He noted that although he believed Keesee had mortgaged his house, it was likely worth $100,000.
Shamansky said that although his client has been doing everything he is supposed to do, the prosecution has delayed discovery for a month and a half. He said he received additional telephone records this morning.
Discovery is the exchange of information and known facts in a case.
He said the delay has forced his office to devote a great deal of staff hours to the case and could force him to choose between due diligence and a speedy trial.
In Ohio, a person must be brought to trial within 270 days of arrest or 90 days if the individual is in custody.
Special Prosecutor Jenny Wells disagreed with Shamansky’s assertion that her office had evidence since February.
She noted that the Licking County Sheriff’s Office did not start investigating until February.
Additionally, Wells said more witnesses and new information have come to light.
According to court documents, Wells filed notice on May 27 of three additional witnesses and nine additional files. She filed a second notice on May 30, notifying the defense of two additional witnesses.
Trial date raises concerns about speedy trial
Regarding the potential inability to meet the July 1 trial date, Wetzel told Shamansky the burden to meet the date rests with Wells’ office.
He told Shamansky if the defense needs more time, they have options.
Outside of the courtroom, Shamansky said information is coming to his office.
“We’re doing our level best to absorb it and to consider it and categorize it and to make sure that we’re prepared for trial,” he said. “There’s a proverbial mountain of work to be done, which we’re going to do.”
As to whether he felt the delay was intentional, Shamansky said, “All I can tell you is this: All of the material that took them six weeks to get to us has been in their possession since before the case was indicted, so you call it what you want.”
Shamansky said under normal circumstances, it would not be a big deal.
“In a case such as this with a 90-day deadline, you lose half the time waiting on the information. That’s impact,” Shamansky said.
“That’s why I asked Judge Wetzel to consider an appearance bond. He doesn’t believe that’s appropriate, so we’ll continue to work with these parameters because he’s the boss.”
Shamansky said the delay in information could impact Keesee’s right to a speedy trial. However, he does not believe it prevents a fair trial.
“I can assure you this judge, who is an extremely fair jurist, will guarantee and make sure that there’s a fair trial in there, and so will I, frankly. I’m not worried about fairness at this point. I’ve been in front of this judge many times. He is as fair as they come.”
