The predatory criminal sexual assault conviction of a Mt. Carmel man has been affirmed by the 5th District Appellate Court in Mt. Vernon. 35 year old Jeffrey Isham was sentenced to 45 years in prison after a Wabash County Jury found him guilty of the Class X felony in December of 2022.
Isham was charged in September of 2019 for an incident with a then 11 year old family member who testified Isham dragged her by the hair into a bathroom where the assault took place at Isham’s Keensburg home. The jury deliberated just 90 minutes before returning their guilty verdict on December 8th of 2021.
Isham appealed his conviction arguing the evidence presented at trial did not prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, his 45 year prison sentence was excessive; he received ineffective legal counsel; and errors were made during jury selection.
But, on a 2-1 decision handed down last Monday, the appellate court rejected Isham’s claims and affirmed the conviction and 45 year prison term.
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