Verdict in rape trial may not come until Monday

The trial by jury for a local man accused of rape began Tuesday in the Bourbon County District Court three years after being arrested.

According to Bourbon County Court records, Fort Scott resident Derek Holt, 28, was arrested in January 2007 on a Bourbon County warrant for rape and aggravated indecent liberties with a child -- charges which Holt later plead not guilty.

Holt was accused of raping a 3-year-old child between Aug. 1 and Sept. 28, 2006, according to Bourbon County Court records. The rape charge is listed as a level 1 person felony which carries a maximum sentence of 653 months. The aggravated indecent liberties with a child charge is listed as a level 3 person felony and carries a maximum sentence of 247 months.

The trial began Tuesday morning and was expected to conclude Friday afternoon, however, a verdict may not be delivered until Monday.

The Tribune will publish more information as it becomes available.