LIMA — Jury selection is set to begin Tuesday morning in Allen County Common Pleas Court in the trial of William Baker Jr., 40, of Elida, who is facing charges of rape, sexual battery and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.
Sixty potential jurors have been called and will be questioned by attorneys for the state and the defense before a 12-member panel of jurists and two alternates are selected.
The rape charges are first-degree felonies punishable by up to 11 years in prison on each of two counts.
According to court documents, Baker was indicted by a grand jury on May 11 for events that happened “on or about April 7,” during which the defendant “did engage in sexual conduct with another person … by force or the threat of force.”
Baker has entered pleas of not guilty to all counts against him.
The 15-year-old alleged victim is someone the defendant reportedly had known before the events in question in the case, according to court documents.
Two days have been set aside in court to hear the case.
