MOUNT VERNON — The trial of Gary Thomas “Tom” Keesee Jr. has again been delayed.
Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel had scheduled the trial to begin on Nov. 18. Defense attorney Samuel Shamansky filed for the continuance on Wednesday and Wetzel granted it Friday. An oral hearing regarding discovery materials is set for Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m.
Keesee faces 32 counts of sexual abuse involving four victims. Charges include 13 counts of first-degree rape, 14 counts of gross sexual imposition, and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Keesee was arrested in April after being indicted by a Knox County grand jury. He was held in the Licking County Justice Center on a $2 million bond with no 10% provision until last week.
The original trial was set for July 1, but Shamansky said he needed more time to prepare. The judge granted the motion to delay the trial until Nov. 18.
Tom Keesee bonded out of Licking County Jail earlier this month.
On Nov. 6, Wetzel reduced Keesee’s bond to $1 million with a 10% provision. Gary Thomas Keesee Sr., Tom Keesee’s father, posted the bond that afternoon.
The bond provisions require Tom Keesee to report weekly to a probation officer and wear a monitoring device. He also surrendered his driver’s license and passport.
Defense needs time to subpoena additional records
Shamansky asked for the reduced bond after recordings surfaced of conversations between two of the alleged victims in the case.
The Licking County Sheriff’s Office obtained the recordings from a witness and turned them over to the prosecutor’s office.
A copy was sent to Shamansky on Oct. 24. Shamansky received it on Oct. 27.
However, he was involved in a jury trial in Cleveland and did not have time to examine them in-depth until Nov. 1. That trial ended on Nov. 5.
Shamansky said the recordings make it apparent the alleged victims are discussing strategy, testimony, defamation, and other aspects of the case.
The two alleged victims account for 26 of the counts against Keesee. Shamansky said at last week’s bond hearing that “It’s not much of a leap to believe if two of the witnesses are in communication, there’s a likelihood they have been with others.”
“Certainly, as a lawyer, we need to explore that possibility that these folks are all talking,” he said.
Shamansky requested a continuance at the bond hearing, stating that there was insufficient time within 13 days to subpoena phone records, digest and synthesize the information, and develop an appropriate defense plan. However, Wetzel denied the continuance at that time and requested that Shamansky talk with Licking County Prosecutor Jenny Wells.
In his Wednesday motion to reschedule the trial, Shamansky stated that “ongoing discovery issues require additional preparation on behalf of the defendant. Defendant respectfully waives his right to a speedy trial for the duration of this continuance.”
Keesee is the son of Gary Thomas Keesee Sr. and Drenda Keesee. The couple resides on Sharp Road and co-pastor Faith Life Church in Gahanna.
Keesee Jr. was a former chief media officer at the church.
Authorities have said that none of the alleged incidents occurred at the church.
Drenda Keesee is a Knox County commissioner.
