State v. Welton, Ca2006-07-028 (5-5-2008)

OPINION

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Edward H. Welton, Jr., appeals his conviction in the Fayette County Court of Common Pleas for rape. For the reasons outlined below, we affirm the decision of the trial court.

{¶ 2} On March 27, 2006, appellant was indicted on three counts of rape in violation of R.C. 2907.02(A)(1)(b), all felonies of the first degree. Each count included a specification that the victim was under the age of ten at the time of the offenses. The indictment stemmed from allegations of sexual abuse made against appellant by A.W., his niece. In December 2005, nine-year-old A.W. told…