PRINCETON, W.Va. (AP) - A Mercer County man faces up to 400 years in prison following his conviction on first-degree sexual assault and child pornography charges.
Media outlets report that a Mercer County Circuit Court jury found 41-year-old John Spaulding guilty of three sexual assault counts and 50 possession of child pornography counts. He was found not guilty of three other sexual assault charges.
Spaulding’s attorney plans to seek a new trial. A hearing is set for June 2.
Last week’s verdict followed a retrial. Spaulding’s first trial ended in a mistrial in February after a juror became ill during deliberations.
Chief prosecutor George Sitler says Spaulding faces 25 to 100 years in prison each sexual assault charge and two years in prison on each pornography count.
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