Alleged rape victim called to special grand jury
Published 10:08 am Tuesday, January 15, 2013
After nearly seven months, the alleged rape victim in a case with ties to Ironton City Council has been subpoenaed to testify before a special grand jury later this month.
This comes after an investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification into allegations made in June by a woman who alleged a city council member tried to rape her at her home.
The special grand jury will be conducted by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, implementing agency for the BCI&I, Jan. 28.
Since the allegations were made, local authorities have steered clear of the case, citing conflicts of interest. Given the nature of the allegation and that it involves a member of city government, the Ironton Police turned the matter over to BCI&I.
Since the county prosecutor is also the attorney for the city of Ironton, that office had said it would not handle any possible prosecution should the investigation determine it is warranted.
The issue began June 17 when an Ironton woman went to Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Russell, Ky., and said a member of city council tried to rape her at her home the night before. A hospital employee called 911 on her behalf.
“(The employee) stated (the woman) had told her that (the man) had tried to rape her at her home last night and she had to fight him off,” according to the narrative on the 911 call log.
No charges have been filed in the case. The Tribune does not generally identify rape victims or individuals accused of crimes until formal charges are filed.