BUCYRUS — The defense opened its case by calling Josh Benedict’s family members to testify. Benedict’s mother, Frances Benedict, explained to the court the layout of what she estimated to be the six-acre property. She testified her son stayed in the camper during warm months and slept in an upstairs bedroom when the weather got cold. She told the jury her son had self-pride and took good care of the property.
When asked by defense attorney Adam Stone about the number of people at the property at any given time, she testified the most was about 60 people.
Mrs. Benedict explained that she did not have grandchildren but was very close with her great-nieces, including the victim. She explained she allowed them to visit whenever they wanted. Mrs. Benedict explained that they had large gatherings where people enjoyed swimming, fires, corn hole games, and Karaoke in what she called the “Karaoke Shack.”
When asked about the Tablet in question, she said 15-20 people handled the Tablet at any given time. Mrs. Benedict also testified that the Tablet was used for Facebook, Youtube, and video games.
Mrs. Benedict said the camper had no internet access, but the main house did. She said there was no electricity or heat in the camper. She said when it got too cold, Benedict slept in an upstairs room.
The State of Ohio did not cross-examine Mrs. Benedict.
Dustin Norwood of Galion, Benedict’s brother-in-law, testified that Jousua Benedict lived with the Norwoods for about six months, beginning in November of 2015 after returning from South Carolina to live and work in Galion.
According to the victim, one assault took place in that Norwood residence. Norwood told the jury the victim had only stayed at his home two times. Norwood described the upstairs room where Benedict stayed. He said the room had the decor of a 70’s style with wood paneling halfway up the walls and the rest decorated with wallpaper. Norwood said the room had a tv, dresser, stand, bean bag chair, and a bed on the floor. He described a light fixture with a globe over it.
When shown pictures of the area where the assault took place, Norwood said the sheets in the picture were not the sheets they provided for Joshua Benedict’s bed. He did not recognize the room.
Norwood said he was present during the search of his home and that to this day, investigators never spoke to him.
Norwood identified the Tablet seized when Stone showed it to him. He testified that 15-20 people handled the Tablet for Karaoke and other uses.
Norwood said he was familiar with the victim and siblings. The victim spent the night at the Norwood home and was often at the property to swim and party.
Norwood said the kids were always glad to see Benedict and hang out and play with him.
Norwood said Benedict dated a girl in 2018, and the victim did not like her. He stated Josh’s behavior toward the victim did not change. Norwood thought the victim might have been upset because Josh was not around as much to play with them.
On cross-examination, Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler called Norwood out on his hasty identification of the seized Tablet.
“It’s interesting that Mr. Stone handed you this (Tablet) on its back and asked you if you recognized it. There’s nothing identifiable when this is turned off. It’s a black screen. That doesn’t differentiate it from any other Samsung tablet. How did you know this wasn’t one found somewhere else?” Hoovler asked. Norwood said he assumed it was the Tablet.
“We’re not asking you to assume anything. Did you know you were going to testify about a tablet in this case?” Hoovler pressed.
Norwood admitted to previously being informed about the Tablet.
“You didn’t even look at this because you knew you had to identify it. You didn’t turn it on, and you did nothing to identify it because there’s no way to identify it until it’s turned on. Yet you were so confident that you immediately said yes.” Hoovler said.
Hoovler also got Norwood to admit that Benedict was in the house the night of the alleged assault when the victim spent the night in his home.
On redirect questioning, Stone reviewed how he handed Norwood the Tablet, and Attorney Stone told everyone to calm down. Norwood said he had spoken with Stone about ten times throughout the case, and he knew authorities had the device. He said no one prepped him for his testimony.
Benedict’s father, Christopher Benedict, testified to much of the same questions asked of his wife. He told the jury that he and his wife were sitting on their patio during the home search. Christopher said no authorities have ever spoken to him.
In previous testimony, it was shared that Christopher Benedict’s father would prank them by using his thumb as a penis and would proceed to ejaculate or urinate on them. When asked by attorney Stone, Christopher Benedict (Joshua’s father) replied, his father “used to take saltwater as we sleep he would pour a little bit (saltwater) in our mouth….” Attorney Stone asked Christopher if he grew up with the prank? Christopher said “yeh-yeh.”
Benedict testified that the victim was always on Joshua’s heels whenever she was at the property. Bryan Benedict, Josh Benedict’s uncle, testified his nephew worked for him in construction.
Bryan Benedict testified he only went to the parties a few times, and he had seen Benedict use a computer to research classes to become a home inspector. Bryan expressed he never saw much interaction between Joshua and the victim.
When asked about his father’s pranks, Bryan Benedict acknowledged they happened. He said he didn’t doubt his father did that to Benedict, just horsing around to get a reaction out of him as a teenager.
“I challenge anyone to say anything bad about my father,” Christopher said. The state did not cross-examine the witness.
Stone will present his final witness on Friday morning, and then the following will include closing arguments and jury instructions. The jury should begin deliberations on Friday.
If convicted, Joshua Benedict could spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.