A 52 year old Effingham man faces life in prison after being found guilty by an Atchison County Jury on amended sex charges.
After just over two hours of deliberation by the jury, the verdict read Wednesday morning by Atchison County District Judge Martin Asher found David Smith guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent liberties with a child that occurred between September 2010 and July of 2011 and not guilty of three counts of rape.
Smith originally faced 15 indecent liberties counts and 15 rape counts before testimony by the victim and evidence presented Tuesday afternoon caused the judge to amend the charges.
Since one of the guilty counts happened while the victim was under 14, under Jessica’s law, Smith will face a mandatory life sentence.
He will face standard sentencing guidelines on the other two charges.
Smith’s expression changed little during the reading of the verdict, while one member of the victim’s family eyes closed her eyes and bowed her head with an expression of relief.
Smith was arrested on July 26th of last year by the Atchison County Sheriff’s Department and has remained in jail since.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 19th.
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man killed in Jackson Co crash
Morrill pair arrested on drug, child endangerment charges
Cold case investigation leads to Holton warrant
Effingham owner regains truck following theft, arrest
Horton City Clerk's resignation accepted Monday
Local residents avoid injury in chain reaction crash
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
90 mph+ downburst winds blamed for Thursday damage
Winchester native named as Amberwell CEO
Wamego man sentenced in second fentanyl-related death
Mayetta pair arrested on meth, child endangerment charges
Stolen trailer, 4-wheeler, recovered in Atchison
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Juveniles face charges following Atchison break-in
Atchison Co's Oswald named honorary bailiff for KS Court
Two arrested following Friday Jackson Co traffic stop
McLouth man injured in Monday wreck
No injuries in early Sunday morning house fire in Falls City
LATEST STORIES
KS prepares for severe weekend weather
Richardson County Board approves pay raise for dispatchers
NPPD urges farmers to be safe around power lines
Arbor Day proclaimed in Atchison
Former AG Schmidt running for KS' 2nd Congressional District
Doniphan Co Commission approves overlay projects
Holton property search concludes with arrest
Former Kickapoo Tribal chairman arrested
RELATED STORIES
Falls City man arrested on multiple charges
State senators listen to frustrations with crime
Authorities Continue to Look for Suspect
Investigation Yields Information About Richardson Co Thefts
Missouri Authorities Find Stolen Money in Tree
Man Faces Sex Assault Charges in SE Nebraska
Tecumseh Man Pleads Not Guilty to Falls City Thefts
Atchison Co Commission Focuses On Speed Limits