NORWICH – The jury trial involving a former corrections officer and military veteran accused of committing rape on September 11, 2019, will continue Thursday with the defense presenting witnesses.

A special prosecutor and judge were appointed in the case after local judicial officials recused themselves due to the fact the defendant, Donald Reese, was a corrections officer for the Chenango County Sheriff's Office until 2018. His duties included transporting inmates to local courts and interacting with local court officials.

Otsego County Court Judge John F. Lambert is presiding in the case with Otsego County District Attorney John M. Muehl prosecuting.

Reese is accused of first and third degree rape and over an alleged incident, involving a woman he had recently started seeing.

Following what prosecutors describe as a third movie date, Reese is accused of making forced advances despite being told to stop and then forcing himself on the victim.

The next day the victim talked to coworkers and called police to report the incident, which began the initial investigation by the Norwich City Police.

Reese has pleaded not guilty to the charges and the case is now in front of a jury.

DA Muehl said the case may seem like a, “He said, she said,” scenario at first glance but told the jury to consider all the context.

He explained the victim was a middle-aged mother of three who was looking for a life partner to grow old with and was trying to meet people online. He said she was gainfully employed and supporting a family for the last two-plus decades. He said the victim and defendant met on Facebook and began talking before getting together for a couple of dates.

Muehl said Reese wanted to meet on 9/11 because he was depressed and that he and the victim were watching a movie when Reese attempted to engage in sexual touching, the couple's first sexual encounter.

“The defendant got more aggressive, she wasn't going along and then she pushed him away,” Muehl told the jury. “She kept saying 'No'.”

“....He pinned her arms down and he forced himself...” said Muehl.

After the incident Muehl said the victim sought refuge in the bathroom and when she came out a short time later Reese was in the process of leaving.

“She didn't know what to do,” he told the court. The next day he said the victim went to work but seemed disturbed and a coworker told her to call police.

Muehl said testimony from health officials would also show an attack had taken place.

Defense Attorney Veronica M. Gorman told the jury that after they were able to review all the texts and messages exchanged between the two it would show her client was not the aggressor, but actually the opposite.

“When we are done and you see them, you will be able to see who is telling the truth,” she said.

Gorman said the couple had multiple conversations and dates leading up to the incident. “She kissed him,” Gorman told the court.

“There was some sexual contact and making out,” Gorman said. “[The defendant] and the [victim] had sex and [the victim] regrets it. But regret doesn't equal rape,” said Gorman.

“Look at the facts, don't be solely guided by sympathy,” she said. “This case will come down to witness credibility.”

The trial is expected to finish this week or early next week.

CORRECTION
(In a previous version of this story it was incorrectly reported the defendant in the case resigned after being arrested. He resigned a year prior to being charged over a medical issue. Following a misunderstanding Wednesday, the Chenango County Sheriff's office confirmed Reese's departure was not related to any accusation against him. )