Man found innocent of sexual assault
Toolbox
Published: June 20, 2009
BENNINGTON – A jury found a Shaftsbury man not guilty of sexual assault after a trial in Bennington District Court on Friday.
Joseph Chellis, 46, was charged with the single felony count in July 2008.
Chellis had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman he knew in Shaftsbury on June 26, 2008.
During Chellis' arraignment, questions of competency were raised because he had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
Bennington County Chief Deputy State's Attorney Christina Rainville called the verdict a "big disappointment" and said sexual assaults are very hard to prove in court.
— Staff reports
32