Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 23, 1995 TAG: 9508230093
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHICAGO LENGTH: Medium
As the verdict was read, Reynolds sat expressionless.
Reynolds testified that he never had sex with campaign volunteer Beverly Heard when she was 16 and 17, and that they only fantasized about it over the phone. The congressman said he was the target of a racially biased, politically motivated prosecution.
Jurors deliberated more than 14 hours before convicting Reynolds on all counts.
The most serious charge, criminal sexual assault, carries a mandatory minimum penalty of four years in prison. He also was convicted of sexual abuse, child pornography and obstruction of justice.
No sentencing date was set. Reynolds will remain free on a personal recognizance bond.
Defense lawyer Ed Genson said they would appeal.
Prosecutors built their case against Reynolds, 43, on graphic tape-recorded telephone calls in which Reynolds discussed sex acts with his teen-age accuser. The monthlong trial also focused on the conflicting testimony from the two-term Democrat and his accuser, now 19.
After 13 nights in jail for refusing to testify, Heard emerged to tell the jury she had a consensual sexual affair with Reynolds beginning in 1992. But she said he doesn't deserve prison and asked the jury to find him innocent.
Juror Patrick King said the jury reached its decision primarily on the phone tapes.
``Nobody wanted to convict him completely on what Beverly Heard said,'' King said.
by CNB