Deliberations in Former Mayor’s Sex Abuse Trial

The fate of a former Oelwein mayor is in the hands of a Chickasaw County jury.

Closing arguments were presented Monday in the sexual abuse trial of 37 year old Jason Manus. The jury then got the case for deliberations, but have not yet reached a verdict after studying the case for about 3 hours.

Manus was charged last August with one count of second degree sexual abuse and 4 counts of third degree sexual abuse for alleged encounters with girls ages 9 and 14 in 2010 in Oelwein. Manus was arrested after an investigation by Fayette County authorities; he resigned as mayor a few days later.

In closing arguments Monday, both the prosecution and defense asked the jury who they believed: Manus or the two young girls?

If convicted, Manus faces 25 years in prison for 2nd degree sex abuse, and 10 years for third degree.

Deliberations will continue today in New Hampton, at the Chickasaw County courthouse, where the trial was moved on a change of venue request.