Jury finds Lima man guilty of rape, sexual battery

May 23—LIMA — After just over an hour of deliberation Thursday, a jury trial found a Lima man guilty of five counts of sexual battery and 10 counts of rape for events occurring to two victims over the course of a decade.

Thursday marked the final day the three-day jury trial for Paul Bowman, 48, of Lima, in Allen County Common Pleas Court, starting with closing arguments then the jury's deliberation.

Bowman stood completely still throughout the trial — not looking in any direction or fidgeting — and had no reaction when the guilty verdicts were read.

Judge Terri Kohlrieser will sentence Bowman at 8 a.m. June 25.

Bowman was originally indicted on 11 counts of rape and six counts of sexual battery, but the state dismissed one count of rape and one count of sexual battery.

The state's argument centered around Bowman disappearing after Lima police started investigating and the recording of Bowman talking to his mother from jail about getting his affairs in order.

"People do things for a reason," Assistant Prosecutor Joe Everhart said in his closing arguments.

The defense mentioned Bowman's ex-wife, Danielle, not believing one of the victims when told about some of the sexual abuse and questioned the victim's credibility. The defense said anyone would know not to talk to the police without a lawyer, and Bowman wasn't required to speak to the police. The defense urged jurors to consider whether the state's evidence was beyond a reasonable doubt, and if it wasn't, to declare Bowman not guilty.

In a rebuttal, the prosecution said that instead of Bowman telling the police to come back with a warrant or ignore the calls, he uprooted his whole life because he was guilty. The attorneys told the jurors that if they found Bowman not guilty, then they disbelieved the victims.

"Don't fall into the trap of victim-blaming," Assistant Prosecutor Kyle Thines said before the verdict.

Reach Charlotte Caldwell at 567-242-0451.