Rodgers found ‘not guilty’ of rape

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Richard Ray Rodgers was found “not guilty” of first-degree felony rape Thursday after the jury deliberated for about 30 minutes in Fayette County Common Pleas Court.

Rodgers, 49, was accused of raping a 34-year-old woman on April 20 at a Jasper Coil residence. Deputies served him with an indictment Aug. 25.

Both Rodgers and the woman who accused him testified during the two-day trial, according to Fayette County Prosecutor Jess Weade.

“I think after talking to the jurors, this is a case where there were no issues with finding probable cause for the crime,” Weade said. “But in their minds, there wasn’t enough evidence for beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial was largely her version of events versus his version of events. There was no medical testimony and there was really no inculpatory or exculpatory forensic evidence.”

Rodgers is the owner of Freestyle Grappling and Fitness in Jeffersonville. According to testimony, the woman was at Rodgers’ home for personal training when she said she was raped.

The alleged incident happened on a Friday and was reported the following Monday, according to Weade.

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By Ryan Carter

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Reach Ryan Carter at 740-313-0352 or on Twitter @rywica

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