6 years, 5 months ago by Scott Hardy
Doesn't think impartial jury can be found
The prosecution in the sex and child abuse case against the owner of a now-closed Keokuk private school wants the trial moved from Lee County.
Assistant Iowa Attorney General Denise Timmins filed a change of venue motion Friday in South Lee County court. In court documents, Timmins says she doesn't think an impartial jury for Benjamin Trane's December 12th trial will be found in Lee County, due to the school's ties to the community and extensive media coverage of the case. Trane’s pleaded Not Guilty to charges of third-degree sexual abuse, sexual exploitation by a counselor and child endangerment. Investigators allege he had a sexual relationship with one student, had girls undress and discuss sex for his arousal, and kept some students in solitary confinement for days or weeks. Trane is currently due back in South Lee County Court for a pre-trial hearing November 27th.
He also faces a civil suit filed by former students, who allege they were physically abused while at the school. Late last month, lawyers for the students asked the court for a default judgement, similar to the one received by Cheyenne Jerred, a former Midwest Academy employee who sued the school and Trane. She said she was fired a week after notifying the school and authorities about a sexual abuse claim by a student against Trane. That tip led to raids by local, state and Federal agencies in early January 2016, which resulted in the school's closure.
