A Clarksville man accused of raping a child younger than 13 years old began his jury trial Tuesday in Judge Mike R. Jones’ court.
Robert Lee Vaughn IV, 35, was charged with two counts of child rape and one count of aggravated sexual battery.
A now 17-year-old girl testified that Vaughn performed oral sex on her and forced her to have contact with his private parts between January 2003 and August 2004, when she was six or seven years old.
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It is The Leaf-Chronicle’s policy to protect the identity of possible victims of sex abuse crimes.
The girl testified that on two occasions during a horseplay game Vaughn sexually abused her. During her testimony, the teen girl became emotional.
Dan Brollier, assistant district attorney, prosecuted the case and called several witnesses to testify, including a friend who said the alleged victim disclosed the abuse to her several years after it occurred and she told the alleged victim’s mother. The alleged victim’s mother also testified.
One count of child rape was dismissed since the alleged victim did not testify that it occurred.
Vaughn was the final witness to testify Tuesday and vehemently denied the allegations.
Crystal Myers, assistant public defender who is representing Vaughn, asked him if he’d sexually abused the child and Vaughn said no.
A widespread power outage did not halt the court proceedings. Judge Mike Jones’ court was one of the only courtrooms that had power, and court continued after the lunch break.
Myers called several character witnesses, including Vaughn’s wife, mother-in-law and father, who testified about Vaughn’s relationship with the alleged victim.
Following Vaughn’s testimony, the defense concluded its evidence.
Wednesday morning, the jury will hear jury instructions and closing statements before deliberating.
