New trial denied for felon in Hancock County rape

3/25/2005

FINDLAY - A Hancock County judge has refused to grant a new trial for one of the people convicted in the February, 1999, abduction and rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Common Pleas Judge Joseph Niemeyer turned down the request this week from Nathan Graham, who is serving a 55-year prison sentence in connection with the crime.

Graham, 26, filed a request for a new trial in March, 2003, and submitted a 30-page transcript of a telephone interview with the victim in December, 2004, as evidence that he said exonerated him.

Graham was convicted of seven felony counts, including attempted murder, rape, kidnapping, and felonious assault in November, 2000.

Five co-defendants pleaded guilty and received prison terms ranging from 4 to 30 years for their roles in the attack.