MOUNT VERNON — Two victims and their spouses were present in the courtroom Tuesday for closing arguments in the rape trial of Gary “Tom” Keesee Jr.
Keesee faces 27 counts of sexual abuse, including 11 counts of first-degree rape, 11 counts of sexual imposition and five counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
He waived his right to a jury trial and requested a bench trial. Knox County Common Pleas Judge Richard Wetzel heard the case and will render the verdict.
Captain Gus Moore of the Licking County Sheriff’s Office returned briefly to the stand before attorneys made their closing statements.
He testified about the ownership registration timeline of a Keesee family van between May 27, 2002, and May 27, 2003. Victim 2 previously testified an incident occurred in the van and that Keesee’s mother, Drenda Keesee, saw them.
The van was registered to another individual on July 3, 2003.
Defense attorney Samuel Shamansky noted that Moore cannot produce a title showing when the van was sold. Moore stated that in Ohio, you cannot register a car without a title.
A Knox County grand jury initially indicted Keesee on 27 counts in April 2025. In May 2025, a grand jury added five additional counts relating to a fourth victim coming forward.
Victim 4 testified last week about alleged incidents that occurred at the Keesee family home. On Monday, Wetzel dismissed those charges because she was unable to return to the stand for cross-examination.
On Tuesday, he also struck portions of Carrie Schnirring’s expert witness testimony relating to Victim 4.
‘The cover was pulled’
Special Prosecutor Jenny Wells asked Wetzel to find Keesee guilty on the remaining 27 counts relating to victims 1, 2, and 3.
“It took tremendous strength from these ladies to come forth,” she said, adding that they talked about extremely private things.
“This case boils down to whether you believe the testimony of the victims.”
Wells said Victim 2 testified to more than 30 incidents of sexual engagement when she was 6 to 7 years old.
Victim 1 testified to more than 25 incidents of Keesee touching her and engaging in sexual conduct in multiple locations, including Keesee’s home and the victim’s homes, between the ages of 6 and 7.
Wells said the abuse progressed to digital penetration.
Victim 3 testified to one incident at the age of 10 or 11.
Wells said multiple witnesses corroborated the victims’ statements in numerous ways.
“It is very clear the defendant wanted to keep this quiet and ‘covered’ as [a brother-in-law] explained so [Keesee] could repent,” she said.
“The testimony has shown that the cover was pulled, and behind it was the defendant, a serial rapist.”
Wells said the evidence does not show evidence of a conspiracy as the defense suggested.
It did show “women who were unprotected, very naive, sheltered children who did not know it was wrong and lived with that shame for many years.”
Defense says prosecution did not prove its case
Shamansky said that if Wetzel relied on the evidence presented, it would show the state did not meet the standard for burden of proof.
He cited Victim 3’s testimony about riding on a dirt bike in front of Keesee with his right arm around her when he allegedly put his hand under her bathing suit. Shamansky said that was impossible because the bike’s throttle is on the right side.
He said counseling records between 2020-21 that would corroborate Victim 2’s testimony do not exist.
Additionally, no one can produce a note that Victim 2 allegedly sent informing recipients she was abused, nor are there any pediatrician records indicating abuse.
“All of this leads to one conclusion, and that is that the evidence is not to be believed,” Shamansky said.
“What you do not have is proof beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Attorneys have 14 days to file their briefs. Rebuttal briefs are due seven days after that. Wetzel will announce his verdict on Nov. 6 at 9 a.m.
