Leecia Carnes
PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The oldest son of Austin Rodhouse celebrated his fifth birthday less than a week before the trial against his father began at the Pike County Courthouse in Pittsfield. It was the first birthday he spent out of his father’s reach. Next week will be his father’s turn to celebrate a birthday. He…
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Read what each attorney said in the closing arguments of the Austin Rodhouse case. PITTSFIELD — The eight-woman, four-man jury found Austin Rodhouse guilty of all 19 charges late Friday afternoon after more than four hours of deliberations. As each of the 19 domestic violence and sex-related felonies were read aloud by Pike County Circuit…
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PITTSFIELD — “Never try to play a game I created as a kid and expect me to lose as an adult.” Pike County Assistant State’s Attorney Leecia Carnes repeatedly returned to a single text message sent by Austin Rodhouse throughout her closing argument given Friday morning on the ninth and presumably final day of his…
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PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Two more women testified Thursday morning about Austin Rodhouse’s sexual encounters and the physical and emotional abuse heaped upon his wife during the eighth day of his trial in Pike County Circuit Court. In all, eight women who were either allegedly assaulted by Rodhouse or were in the family home in Pleasant…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The state rested, the defense offered no witnesses, closing statements will begin Friday morning and the jury is expected to begin deliberations on Friday afternoon…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — The father of Austin Rodhouse’s wife explained the frustration of not being able to help his daughter and grandsons, fearing for their safety as they…
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PITTSFIELD, Ill. — When Austin Rodhouse’s wife confirmed during testimony Wednesday morning that she performed and recorded an oral sex act with her oldest son while her husband was working in Utah, defense attorney Casey Schnack said, “You knew it was wrong.” “I did it because I was threatened and manipulated,” Rodhouse’s wife replied. That…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — People in the courtroom for each day of the Austin Rodhouse trial knew the video eventually would be played. Judge Charles H.W. Burch warned everybody…
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Messages found on Rodhouses' phones show discussions about sex with son, submissions and punishments
WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — An eight-woman, four-man jury listened Friday afternoon to 3½ hours of text and Snapchat messages discovered on the cellphones of Austin Rodhouse and his wife…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Another woman testified Friday morning during the Austin Rodhouse trial about how he gave her “Austin massages” when she was a child. However, this woman…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — She cried when she walked past her son when she entered a courtroom in the Pike County Courthouse on Friday morning. She cried again as…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Much of the first two days of testimony in the Austin Rodhouse trial in Pike County Circuit Court has centered around his wife and their…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Five more people testified on behalf of the state on Wednesday during the third day of the Austin Rodhouse trial in Pike County Circuit Court,…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Some simply couldn’t watch, while others looked at the ground. Some took deep breaths, and others held their breath. Several members of the eight-woman, four-man…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — Jordan Gerard, a former trooper with the Illinois State Police, remembered the look on the face of Austin Rodhouse’s wife when he first spoke with…
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WARNING: This story includes descriptions of explicit violence and graphic sexual content that may be considered profane, vulgar or offensive to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. PITTSFIELD, Ill. — “Make yourself a bowl of dog food. You’ll eat it on the floor like an obedient bitch.” Assistant State’s Attorney Leecia Carnes didn’t mess around…
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PITTSFIELD, Ill. — A Pleasant Hill man charged with 48 domestic violence and sex-related offenses was arraigned Tuesday morning, and his request for pretrial release was denied. Austin L. Rodhouse, 30, appeared in Pike County Circuit Court with his attorney Drew Schnack before Circuit Judge Frank McCartney and pled not guilty to each charge. Schnack…
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