MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—A Marion County jury has acquitted 22-year-old Tristan Veith of all charges brought against him by the office of Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan.

Veith faced serious allegations, including first-degree rape and two counts of gross sexual imposition, stemming from accusations made in October of 2023. The allegations against Veith emerged from a relative of the alleged victim, rather than the victim herself. According to sources close to Veith’s defense, when authorities interviewed the alleged victim, she denied that any assault had occurred. The alleged victim told authorities the motivation behind the accusations was that the relative sought to have the victim live with her instead of her own family. “They cut communication with the victim off when they didn’t get the answers they wanted,” defense sources said.

Veith, who was represented by Columbus attorney Joseph Landusky, endured significant hardship during the legal process. After being held on a $500,000 bond from October 2023 until June 2024, his bond was reduced to $300,000. Still, he remained on house arrest until his acquittal on Thursday. The case experienced multiple delays before finally going to trial.

The situation bears notable similarities to that of Marion City Councilman Ayers Ratliff, whose own case was dismissed for a second time recently. In Ratliff’s case, the alleged victim testified before a grand jury that the reported incidents of gross sexual imposition and rape did not occur. Like Veith’s case, allegations against Ratliff were made by a third party who reported them to school officials. Ratliff’s attorneys have attempted to bring the case to trial, but the judge granted the prosecution’s second request for dismissal, allowing them the option to refile with a different grand jury.

Ratliff’s legal team has expressed that their client’s life is currently in emotional and financial turmoil due to the ongoing legal issues.

In response to inquiries from Marion County Now, Prosecutor Ray Grogan commented: “Every case turns on its own facts. We respect juries. Our job is to present the jury with the evidence, and their job is to decide on a verdict. We thank them for serving as a key part of our justice system.”

Grogan did not respond to inquiries about the status of the Ratliff case.

While Veith has been acquitted, he now faces dealing with the stigma visited upon him. Ratliff’s future remains unsure. Marion County Now will continue to follow these developing news stories.

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