Mistrial Declared in Chelan County Sex Crimes Case Against Kayden Chisum
The 23-year-old is facing two counts stemming from allegations of rape and molestation while babysitting younger relatives, state to decide what happens next
*Trigger Warning: This article contains references to alleged sexual acts with minors.
The two-day trial of Kayden Chisum in Chelan County Superior Court for rape of a child in the first degree and molestation of a child in the first degree ended in a mistrial Friday.
Chisum, now 23, was charged with the crimes after two younger relatives, one male and one female, told their parents they had been sexually molested by the young man on multiple occasions between 2015 and 2017. Rape of a child in the first degree is when the perpetrator has sexual intercourse with another who is less than twelve years old and the perpetrator is at least twenty-four months older than the victim, according to Washington State law. It’s a class A felony with a maximum penalty of life in prison. Child molestation in the first degree is also a class A felony and a single offense can bring a 51-to-68-month prison sentence.
In his closing statement, Chisum’s lawyer, Tony DiTommaso, said his client had been “falsely accused.” He told the jury Chelan County Assistant Prosecutor Micaela Meadows was playing on their emotions to get them to find his client guilty. DiTommaso said the state did not show beyond a reasonable doubt that his client did anything wrong and that the Wenatchee Police Department didn’t even investigate the case properly.
“Did we hear any mention of the inconsistencies and the lack of a thorough investigation?” he asked the jury. “Questions abound here.”
In her closing statements, Meadows accused DiTommaso of bringing in non-essential details in an attempt to muddy the waters for the jury.
“I expected he would mislead you with smoke and mirrors and misdirection,” she said. “With non-essential details and with garnishes that no one needs on their plates.”
DiTommasso interrupted her with an appeal to Chelan County Superior Court Judge Robert Jourdan.
“Your honor, I object to any mention of me trying to mislead the jury,” he said.
“Overruled – closing argument,” Jourdan said.