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Child rape trial of Colton man underway, police expected to testify Monday

Watertown Daily Times - 12/15/2018

Dec. 15--CANTON -- The young woman who has accused a Colton man of rape has spent two days being questioned during a retrial where opening statements and testimony got underway on Thursday.

Keith D. Sharlow, 35, of 639 Wilson Road, a Level 3 sex offender, is charged with two counts of predatory sexual assault against a child, two counts of first-degree criminal sexual act, four counts of first-degree rape, three counts of third-degree rape, one count each of second-degree rape and first- and third-degree incest, all felonies, and a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.

Sharlow was previously convicted on Aug. 30, 2004, of the first-degree sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl on May 16, 2004, according to the state Division of Criminal Justice Services. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

The jury of nine men and three women began listening to the testimony of the teenage girl at about 3 p.m. Thursday and her testimony continued Friday morning until 3 p.m. Jurors also heard testimony from three other witnesses, relatives of the girl.

This is the second time the child has had to take the stand against Sharlow, who, on July 26, 2017, was granted a mistrial by then acting-County Judge Derek P. Champagne after a seven-man, five-woman jury told the court it was deadlocked after less than five hours of deliberating.

The reason for the mistrial was due to the unavailability of a juror.

Special prosecutor Efstathia G. Kyriakopoulos, Massena, is handling the case and Sharlow is being represented by the defense team of James M. McGahan and Bethany R. Crowhurst of the St. Lawrence County Public Defender's Office.

Monday morning is expected to bring testimony from three St. Lawrence County sheriff's deputies and Detective Sgt. Thomas H. Caringi.

On Tuesday, experts from the state police forensics division are expected to testify, which would bring Ms. Kyriakopoulos's case to an end. There is a possibility that the defense may call an expert to rebuke evidence Ms. Kyriakopoulos brought to trial. It not, it is expected jury deliberations could begin as early as Tuesday; if not. Wednesday.

If convicted at trial, Sharlow faces 50 years to life in prison.

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