Upcoming mediation for man accused of sexual acts against dog, minor
GRAYSON An Olive Hill man charged with first-degree rape after a juvenile allegedly fled from his home last summer will attempt to mediate his case for final resolution.
On Monday in Carter County Circuit Court, Jerimiah James, 20, appeared alongside his attorney, David Mussetter, who said the case had been referred to mediation.
During a mediation proceeding, all of the pertaining parties, the defense, prosecution and victim representatives, appear before a third-party judge to hash out a plea agreement with which all parties can agree.
Per court records, the alleged victim in the case claimed James supplied her with alcohol before she was raped and sodomized throughout the night of July 25, 2023.
The victim also alleged James performed sexual acts on his dog following her alleged assault.
The minor said she escaped from James’s home the next morning and flagged down a passing car for help, according to court documents.
With three mediations scheduled for this coming week, Mussetter said he is hopeful James’s case will be taken up on May 31.
Carter Circuit Judge Rebecca Phillips scheduled James to reappear on June 17 to give time for mediation to be completed.
Phillips said James, currently not in custody, will remain subject to the conditions of his bond.
