Rape, kidnapping trial nearing end

Ricky Jamison, left, with his attorney Rebecca West-Estell, appears before Judge Gene Zmuda during the first day of his trial at the Lucas County Courthouse, Monday.

A Lucas County Common Pleas jury is expected to hear closing arguments today and then begin deliberating in the rape and kidnapping trial of Ricky Jamison.

Jamison, 51, is charged with kidnapping a developmentally delayed girl, then 14, from in front of her home and raping her in his home. If convicted, he faces up to 40 years in prison.

The alleged victim, now 16, testified before Judge Gene Zmuda on Wednesday that she was "grabbed by the neck," forced into a car, and taken to an apartment where she was "hurt" by the stranger.

Her mother had previously testified that although a teenager, the victim has the learning capacity of someone half her age. The Blade does not identify victims of sexual assault.

Jamison testified Thursday in his own defense, saying that the girl willingly came to his apartment and that she was the one who initiated sexual activity. He testified that she said she was 18, and he accused other trial witnesses of lying.

On Tuesday, a sexual-assault examiner nurse testified about the injuries sustained by the victim and a DNA analyst testified the swabs taken from the victim had DNA that matched Jamison's.