Update: April 9, 2026, at 6:50 PM
It was a two-day marathon, not a sprint, in a Logan County courtroom this week as the bench trial of Alec Berry was held Wednesday and Thursday before Judge Kevin Braig.
The proceedings were detailed and intensive, spanning long hours with very few breaks and only short lunch recesses.
Both the prosecution and defense presented evidence, arguments, and witness testimony as they worked to support their respective cases.
Shortly before 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, both sides delivered their closing arguments, marking the conclusion of the trial proceedings.
Judge Braig will now determine whether Berry is guilty of the allegations that he raped a then-14-year-old family member and committed sexual battery.
A verdict is scheduled to be announced on April 16 at 4:00 p.m. in the Logan County Court of Common Pleas.
Until that time, Berry’s bond will remain in place.
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The trial of a Bellefontaine man accused of serious sex crimes involving a minor continued Thursday at 10:00 AM and into the afternoon in an unusual format using multiple video feeds.
Alec Berry appeared in a conference room inside the courthouse, while the victim, Judge Braig, and both the defense and prosecuting attorneys were in the judge’s chambers.
Both video streams were broadcast into the main courtroom.
32-year-old Alec Berry is facing charges in Logan County of rape, a first-degree felony, and sexual battery, a second-degree felony.
Defense attorney Colin McNamee represents Berry, while Assistant Logan County Prosecutor Erin Rosen is handling the case for the state.
The charges stem from an alleged incident reported in early July 2025. Investigators say Berry is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old family member in exchange for vape pens.
He was arrested in late September 2025 and later indicted on October 16 on one count of rape and one count of sexual battery.
At the start of Thursday’s hearing, the defense filed a motion for a mistrial, citing a lack of communication during Wednesday’s session.
Judge Braig overruled the motion, noting the emotional trauma the victim would face if required to confront Berry on the stand.
Earlier in the trial, the judge had moved both attorneys and the victim into a separate courtroom for questioning, which was broadcast into the main courtroom.
The judge said the decision was made because of the victim’s age and the difficulty she initially had while testifying.
