WARSAW — The jury trial of Jeff Haney continued this morning, April 12. Haney is being charged with child molesting, a level C felony. The case was filed in 2013, accusing Haney of molesting a 12-year-old girl in 2011.

Jeff Haney

The morning’s testimony continued with the victim on the stand. More digital evidence of Haney’s conversations with the victim was presented to the jury. The defense was then given a chance to cross-examine the victim.

Attorney Joseph Sobek asked the victim about discrepancies in her deposition statements and the statement she gave to the court yesterday. During her deposition, the victim did not mention that Haney had touched her back. The victim admitted that she did not speak about the back touching during her deposition. Kosciusko County Deputy Prosecutor Katy Hampton argued that the information was not previously shared because it was not specifically asked about.

Next, the state called both the victim’s mother and father to the stand separately. Their testimonies backed up the sequence of events previously laid out.

The victim’s mother explained the relationship to the court. “They appeared to be a little too friendly, too comfortable with each other.

Once the parents realized the relationship between the two was transforming, Haney was fired and told not to have any communication with the family.

Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Detective J.D. Ayres was then called to the stand again. A portion of an interview that took place between the detective and Haney in December 2013 was displayed for the court. In the video, Haney discussed his relationship with the victim. He described it as a friendship that started to “grow a little closer.”

Haney is seen on tape admitting to holding hands and meeting privately with the victim. He denies that the two were ever boyfriend/girlfriend and that any kissing ever took place. Only a portion of the interview was shown due to technological issues with the server storage.

During the cross-examination, Sobeck pointed out that no surveillance video, DNA evidence or fingerprint evidence was ever sought out by the detective. Ayres argued that based on his previous experience he knew none of that evidence would still exist because of the time frame.

The trial will continue this afternoon with the defense presenting any evidence and witnesses. The trial will then conclude with closing statements and jury deliberation.

Related articles:
Digital Evident Plays Large Role In Molestation Trial
Jury Trial Begins In Child Molesting Case
Molesting Charges Filed From 2011 Claim