Gwen Rummell reporting –
A case will go to trial in the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas after the defendant rejected a plea deal.
Enrique Durham, 31, of Massillon, is being charged with child endangerment, gross sexual imposition, and rape after a January through June alleged incident last year involving a child 11 to 13 years in age.
In Tuesday’s status hearing, Assistant Attorney Prosecutor Kristine Beard once again offered Durham a plea deal of 11 to 16 and a half years in prison instead of the maximum of 38 years to life, if a jury would convict him on all charges.
Durham’s defense attorney, Anthony Koukoutas, rejected the offer as Durham has stated previously, he will not accept any plea deals.
“He wishes to have a jury trial in this matter and the only thing he asks me about, even trying to negotiate with the prosecutor in this case, would be a possible plea to a non-sex offense misdemeanor.”
In response, Prosecutor Beard removed the plea offer, no longer allowing Durham the possibility of accepting it in the future.
The trial jury selection is occurring this morning, with the trial anticipated to be ongoing the remainder of this week and into next week.
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