Jury fails to reach verdict following two-day trial

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

A motion for acquittal has been filed following the jury trial of a Purdy man charged with sodomy, rape and kidnapping, as the jury was unable to reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared.

Jesi Owen, born 1989, of Purdy, was charged in January 2025 with first-degree kidnapping, first-degree rape and first-degree sodomy.

According to a probable cause statement filed by Det. Jeremy Berner, with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Forrester responded to a possible disturbance at a home in Barry County on Dec. 26, 2024. Berner began a further investigation on Dec. 30, 2024, when the victim reported being restrained against their will and physically molested by Owen, who was told to stop multiple times but allegedly refused to stop.

The victim further reported Owen penetrated multiple orifices by his person and with a device, which after an examination at Cox Monett Hospital, resulted in a genital laceration.

On Jan. 7, during a Mirandized interview at the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, Berner said Owen stated he had sexual intercourse with the victim and admitted to the victim being tied up.

According to Judge David Allen Cole’s docket sheet, the two-day jury trial began on March 23, prosecuted by Barry County Prosecutor Amy Boxx and Assistant Prosecutor John Young, with Owen being represented by Attorney John Lewright.

Following the jury being seated, the state presented its opening statement, and the defense reserved opening. The state presented its evidence, and the court took a recess for the day.

On March 24, evidence was added on behalf of the state, and the state rested its case. The defense moved for acquittal at the close of state’s evidence, which was denied. The defense then made its opening statement, presented evidence and rested its case. The state did not offer any rebuttal, and a second motion for acquittal was denied.

The state and defense made closing arguments, and the jury retired at 3:11 p.m. The jury returned to the courtroom at 7:08 p.m. and returned to deliberation at 7:11 p.m., ultimately sending a note at 7:30 p.m. indicating they were hung and unable to reach a verdict.

“Therefore, over state’s objection, this court finds that taking all circumstances into consideration, there is a manifest necessity to justify the discharge of this due to their inability to reach a verdict. Mistrial declared,” the docket sheet said.

A motion to remove electronic monitoring has been filed, noting the trial was held and resulted in a mistrial. It goes on to state Owen is residing in Seneca and the cost of electronic monitoring continues to cause financial hardship on the defendant and his family. The motion states Owen will not violate the law in any manner and will continue to have no contact with the victim, victim’s family or any state’s witnesses.