Judge denies request for new trial in child rape

FREMONT – A man convicted last month of raping a 4-year-old girl multiple times will not get a new trial, a judge ruled Tuesday.

Stephen Hill, 27, of Vickery, asked for a new trial after his attorney, Amanda Krzystan of Port Clinton, argued there was not enough evidence to convict him.

After reviewing the arguments, Judge Barbara Ansted denied his request.

A jury found Hill guilty of four counts of rape and one count of sexual battery after a trial in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court.

Hill molested the girl at his Vickery home in 2012 and 2013.

His ex-wife, Tawny Hill, 29, Fremont, is expected to stand trial on April 28 in Sandusky County Common Pleas Court on charges of allowing the abuse.