MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—In a significant development, Marion County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew Frericks has granted the state’s motion to dismiss the rape case against Marion City Councilman Ayers Ratliff “without prejudice.”
The decision comes amid serious allegations against Ratliff, including first-degree rape, third-degree unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, two counts of abduction, and one count of gross sexual imposition.
During a hearing on Friday morning, Assistant Prosecutor Mark Weaver argued that the defense inadvertently provided evidence suggesting additional crimes related to the charges had been committed. Weaver asserted that a grand jury should have the opportunity to review this new evidence before proceeding with the case. However, he did not disclose specifics regarding any potential additional charges.
In response, defense attorney J.C. Ratliff contended that the trial should go ahead as planned, with jury selection set to begin on Monday morning. He emphasized the economic toll on his client, stating that Ratliff has lost over $100,000 in income due to the ongoing legal issues and has been separated from his family for more than eight months. Ratliff characterized the state’s request for dismissal as a tactic intended to delay the trial.
The planned 10-day trial will now need to be rescheduled if new indictments are issued. The defense had already prepared extensively, serving subpoenas to 30 witnesses and securing six expert witnesses, including the doctor who created the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program and a forensic clinical psychologist traveling from Alabama.
In closing remarks, Ratliff expressed his confidence in his client’s innocence and the readiness of the defense team to proceed with the trial. Judge Frericks ultimately sided with the state, granting the dismissal and citing a lack of reason to doubt the state’s claims of potential additional crimes.
Marion County Now will continue to cover this developing news story.