WARSAW — Closing arguments were made today, Jan. 18, during the trial for Jonathen Lovelace by Deputy Prosecutor Katy Hampton and Lovelace’s attorney Matthew Buehler. After nearly seven hours of deliberation, the jury found Lovelace guilty of child molestation, a level 4 felony.

Hampton began her closing argument by saying, “On Oct. 27, the defendant made a decision that would tear apart the family.”

She mentioned that Lovelace had violated the trust he had between the victim’s family, in order satisfy his own sexual desires. Hampton implored that even though the victim had not been determined able to testify in court, her testimony was still valid. Hampton said, “She was consistent,” with her testimony of the events that occurred.

Hampton put emphasis on the video footage of the victim speaking to Kelly Bugg with the Kosciusko County Child Protective Services. In the footage, whenever the victim would begin speaking about the alleged incident between her and Lovelace, she would begin to whisper.

Hampton added, “He saw an opportunity and took it…He relied on the fact that she would not tell.”

Buehler began his closing argument by repeating a statement he had made at the beginning of the trial, “This is a case of misunderstanding and misinterpretation.”

Buehler asked the jury to take into account all the aspects of the case, the victim’s age and all the testimony that had been given. He added that Lovelace had many other opportunities to take advantage of the victim if he had wanted to but had not. Buehler stated it seems unlikely he would abuse the victim in her bedroom with the door open and her parents home.

Buehler noted the lack of physical evidence the state had for their case.

After over four hours of deliberation, the jury asked the court to review the footage of the victim’s statements to CPS, as well as the defendant’s testimony. After reviewing the evidence, the jury took an additional hour to deliberate and found Lovelace guilty.

Consequently, the jury also found Lovelace to be guilty of being a habitual offender, having two unrelated felonies to which he was found to be guilty.

Judge David Cates revoked bond in this cause, turning Lovelace over to the Kosciusko Sheriff’s Department.

Lovelace’s sentencing will be held on Feb. 16 in Superior Court I.