Defense attorney objects to allowing dog to accompany witness at rape trial of Hubbard man
A defense attorney is objecting to a prosecutor's motion that a facility dog be allowed in court during the trial of a Hubbard man accused of child rape.
Kenneth Nitso, 33, is scheduled to go on trial Monday on 14 felony counts of rape, gross sexual imposition with sexual contact, and compelling the victim who is a minor to engage in sexual activity for hire.
Assistant Trumbull County Prosecutor Gabe Wildman late last week filed a motion asking Judge Andrew Logan to permit a facility dog to accompany the alleged victim, giving her comfort when she takes the stand to testify.
Wildman hopes to borrow the facility dog which has been used by Summit County Courts.
Defense Attorney Morgan Caruso filed a motion objecting to the request.
According to an indictment, Nitso is accused of raping of a minor under the age of 10 years old, from May 15, 2017 through May 14, 2018. He is also charged with compelling the victim to engage in sexual activity by force or threat.
Nitso is charged with two counts of rape of a minor under the age of thirteen between May 15, 2019 through May 14, 2020. He is also charged with compelling the victim to engage in sexual activity by force or threat, and two counts of rape from May 15 2020 through May 14, 2021.
Nitso is also accused of gross sexual imposition from approximately May 15, 2016 through May 14, 2017 with a minor under the age of 13, which is a three-degree felony. He is also charged with two counts of gross sexual imposition from approximately May 15, 2017 through May 14, 2018; gross sexual imposition from approximately May 15, 2018 through May 15, 2019; gross sexual imposition from approximately May 15, 2019 through May 14, 2020; and two counts of gross sexual imposition from approximately May 15, 2020 through May 14, 2021.
He is charged with compelling prostitution, for allegedly paying a minor for sex, between May 15, 2020 through May 14 of 2021.
Nitso has been in the county jail since his arrest in July.