A 29-year-old man accused of raping a 2-year-old girl in 2014 is scheduled for trial later this month. But before jurors are selected to hear the case, attorneys will continue to argue Tuesday over how much the 14 men and women should know about Michael Skellenger’s initial interview with police, and the victim’s medical records.
Police say the alleged rape happened on July 14, 2014, and came to light the next day when the toddler told her grandmother that Skellenger had hurt her. The grandmother reported the rape and the girl was taken to the Children’s Advocacy Center, where a nurse practitioner found bruising and hemorrhaging in the area of the assault.
Deputies eventually tracked down Skellenger, who initially said he didn’t remember the incident. Later he said he was drunk when he attacked the girl, and he described the assault in detail, his affidavit shows. He called himself a monster.
Skellenger was arrested on a charge of aggravated rape of a child and held on a $300,000 bond.
What attorneys now must unravel before Aug. 23 is the evidence. What should jurors be allowed to hear and what should they not hear? After they make their arguments, Criminal Court Judge Tom Greenholtz will decide what can be admitted.