Mt. Vernon Register-News

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December 3, 2009

MID-DAY UPDATE: Prosecution rests in Oats trial

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The State rested its case today against a former Illinois Department of Corrections guard accused of multiple counts of predatory criminal sexual assault following testimonies by the three alleged victims in the case.

Edwards Oats Sr., 50, was charged March 11, 2003, with six counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child involving three different children over a two-year period.

The alleged victims, now 16, 17 and 18 years old, took the stand this morning and were asked to recount the details of the alleged assault.

One boy, who was 10 years old at the time of the alleged incident, told jurors Oats made his sisters, who were 9 and 12 years old at the time, perform oral sex on him. He also stated Oats made him perform oral sex.

The other two alleged victims also gave testimony that Oats, who was not living with the children or their mother, came over to their house often while their mother worked evening shifts at a children’s home in Hoyleton.

When asked why she was in court, the 18-year-old said, “Because when I was younger I was played with by him and I am here to get him prosecuted for what he done.”

However a juror was excused from the courtroom when the juror realized the second victim testifying was a former certified nursing assistant student of hers a few months ago.

She told jurors on one occasion Oats would make her sister go into her mother’s room and the door would be closed. She said she also saw her younger sister on her knees on the bed and Oats made her perform oral sex.

The girl broke down crying during part of her testimony, when she told the jury Oats would take her in her mother’s bedroom with the door closed and have her perform oral sex. “I kinda screamed,” she said as she wiped tears from her eyes.

The last alleged victim, who was 9 at the time of the alleged assault, testified Oats would attempt to have sex with her, “but I’d say no, it hurt, and he would stop.”

She also stated she saw the alleged assaults between Oats and her siblings occur and that she was always on the bed when the alleged incidents happened.

When prosecutors rested, Oats’ attorney Sharon Costa made a motion for a directive verdict, based on the inconsistencies of the children’s statements, no physical evidence or DNA. Judge Terry Gamber denied the motion.

The trial was to continue this afternoon, with the jury expected to deliberate today.

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