A full day of testimony yesterday in the Zachary Reed child porn trial in Wabash County Circuit Court.
The day began with the alleged victim’s mother back on the stand for a spirited cross examination by defense attorney Patrick Costa.
The bulk of yesterday’s testimony came from Mt. Carmel Police detective Eddie Johnson who recounted retrieving and examining evidence from the residence where Reed lived. Among those items were SD cards, a charging block, and camera that prosecutors say Reed used to tape a 12 year old girl last year while she was in the bathroom. Johnson also testified to interviewing Reed after police were notified the child porn was found on a phone and laptop he had access to. The jury watched the video of the interview in which a tearful Reed denied any wrongdoing before asking for an attorney.
Also testifying yesterday was Sheryl Woodham of the Guardian Center who told jurors about an interview she conducted with the alleged victim that the jury was able to watch. At the conclusion of Woodham’s testimony, state’s attorney Kelli Storckman rested her case and Judge William C. Hudson denied a defense motion for a directed verdict.
The defense will present its’ case today, followed by closing statements, and the case going to the jury.
The 36 year old Mt. Carmel man faces 8 Class X felony counts of child pornography, with each count carrying a possible 6 to 30 years in prison. Reed has been lodged in the Wabash County Jail since his arrest last September.
