Sanderson, 33, is on trial in front of Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Steven Dankof for 19 counts including rape and kidnapping related to three separate incidents involving four women during May and June 2017. Sanderson waived a jury trial.
Defense attorney Anthony VanNoy told Dankof that there was only sexual conduct between Sanderson and one of the alleged victims, whom he had stopped for suspicion of drunk driving. VanNoy said that contact was consensual and could have happened because she was trying to get out of criminal trouble.
MORE COVERAGE OF THE TRIAL
• DAY 1: Two women testify, Sanderson says he was ‘professional’ with prostitutes
• DAY 2: Woman testifies about actions after traffic stop in 2017
• DAY 3: Another woman alleges sex crime in Phillipsburg office
UPDATE @ 2:20 P.M.
Closing arguments are underway in the trial of a former Phillipsburg police officer who is facing 19 counts, including rape, involving four women.
We’re live in the courtroom as the attorneys make their arguments.
Here’s a look at what’s happening:
Prosecutors say Justin Sanderson used his badge to target and victimize women and should be found guilty. pic.twitter.com/BcgSfb3kPA
— Mike Campbell (@MCampbellWHIO) August 23, 2018
Justin Sanderson’s defense lawyer tells Judge that Sanderson may be arrogant and, at times, morally repugnant plus an adulterer ...but he’s not guilty of committing crimes. pic.twitter.com/YUvSRVlO2J
— Mike Campbell (@MCampbellWHIO) August 23, 2018
Defense Attorney tells Judge that Sanderson only engaged in sexual conduct with one of the four alleged victims. pic.twitter.com/cw0iLIE6qN
— Mike Campbell (@MCampbellWHIO) August 23, 2018
UPDATE FROM THIS MORNING
Justin Sanderson, the ex-Phillipsburg police officer facing a trial this week on 19 counts including rape, kidnapping and other charges against four women in three incidents in May and June 2017, will not testify on his own behalf.
ÂEx-Phillipsburg police officer Justin Sanderson - after consultation with his attorneys - has deciced not to testify on his own behalf. Both the prosecution and defense have rested pending submission of exhibits.
— Mark Gokavi (@MarkGokaviWHIO) August 23, 2018
ÂJustin Sanderson decides not to take the stand in his own defense. The ex-Phillipsburg police officer is being tried on several counts of rape and sex assault charges involving three incidents and four alleged victims. pic.twitter.com/GfwBx76qzV
— Mike Campbell (@MCampbellWHIO) August 23, 2018
This morning, a Vandalia police detective testified about his department’s arrest of Sanderson in July 2017 and investigation of an alleged incident involving two women at a Knights Inn there.
ÂEx-Phillipsburg police officer Justin Sanderson was questioned by Vandalia police when he was discovered at the Knights Inn there on July 6, 2017. Det. Sgt. Vallery is on the stand during Sanderson's rape trial. pic.twitter.com/3XQLyz1COG
— Mark Gokavi (@MarkGokaviWHIO) August 23, 2018
ÂProsecutors show a on-line search conducted on https://t.co/RMbT1VXPJD that took place on phillipsburg police computers on the same day Vandalia Police confronted Justin Sanderson at the Knight’s Inn in their community. pic.twitter.com/GGfTc9cPCl
— Mike Campbell (@MCampbellWHIO) August 23, 2018
ÂProsecutors and defense lawyers agree that DNA samples gathered at the Phillipsburg police department belonged to Justin Sanderson and one of his alleged victims. pic.twitter.com/E0xn1fZR95
— Mike Campbell (@MCampbellWHIO) August 23, 2018
We’ll be updating this story with developments throughout the day.