Grayson trial begins today in Kennett

KENNETT, Mo. -- A Dexter man charged with the forcible rape of a local woman in 2011 will have his fate decided by a jury beginning today.

Moses Grayson, 35, is charged with the Class A felony of forcible rape, the Class A felony of armed criminal action and the Class B felony of first-degree burglary.

Grayson's trial began this morning in a Dunklin County courtroom before Judge Benjamin F. Lewis of Cape Girardeau County who was appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court to hear the case.

On Oct. 23, 2012, Grayson filed the request for a change of venue and change of judge.

The first hearing before Lewis took place on Tuesday, Jan. 15, where Grayson's request for a change of venue was argued. By agreement of those involved, the case was sent to Dunklin County for a 491 motion hearing and a jury trial.

Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 491 is the rape shield law which is aimed at preventing defense attorneys from inquiring about a rape victim's past sexual experiences.

According to the probable cause statement filed in the court by Dexter Police Department Det. Cory Mills, Grayson parked his van near the victim's home around 5:15 a.m. on Saturday morning, May 21, and made his way into her backyard. He is then alleged to have cut through a window screen to gain entry into the residence.

Grayson is alleged to have found the victim asleep in her bed, and she was awakened to him touching her. She told police that when she opened her eyes he held a knife to her throat and told her that he would kill her if she moved.

When the victim failed to obey his commands, he struck her twice in the head with his fist.

He then, according to the report on file, raped the victim despite her cries and continued pleas not to kill her.

Grayson has denied sexually assaulting the victim or ever entering her residence.

Grayson did tell authorities upon being questioned that he had parked his vehicle on N. Sassafras on Saturday morning in order to check on his own residence on N. Mulberry. He told police he parked away from his residence because he suspected his neighbors would contact the police if he was seen parking near his home. Grayson was reportedly separated from his wife at that residence recently and was staying in the Essex area with his parents.

He is reported to have admitted to walking through the victim's yard and told police he saw a vehicle and then hid behind the residence. Grayson said he heard music coming from inside the victim's house and reported that he met the victim while he was walking past the front of the residence. He said the two had a brief conversation on the front porch.

Grayson is accused of "knowingly having sexual intercourse with the victim by use of forcible compulsion," and in the course of the offense, "inflicting serious physical injury on the victim, displaying a deadly weapon in a threatening manner and for the purpose of terrorizing (the victim), subjecting her to deviate sexual intercourse."

Following the incident, the victim immediately went to police and reported the incident.

Grayson was picked up later in the day at his parent's home in rural Essex.

Look for information from the trial throughout the week