Man convicted in rape of his 8-year-old daughter
ROYCE SCOTT EARLEY
The conviction followed an investigation by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office that resulted in a grand jury indictment in spring 2020. His trial began last week and lasted three days.
Following the announcement of the jury’s verdict, Earley, who had been out on bond since his arrest in December 2019, was immediately taken into custody.
A sentencing hearing has been set for March 27 in the courtroom of Judge Ryan Spitzer.
The abuse occurred between Nov. 1st and Dec. 15, 2019, according to District Attorney General Dave Clark’s office, and the victim was only eight years old at the time.
In a press release, the DA’s office says that during this week’s trial, Assistant District Attorneys Emily F. Abbott and Sarah W. Keith explained to the jury that “between Nov. 1, 2019, and Dec. 15, 2019, the victim in this matter was raped by the Defendant who was her father.”
Earley, was arrested in December, 2019, after Anderson County Sheriff’s Office Detective Darrell Slater was dispatched to the victim’s home in Clinton to investigate a sexual offense.
After obtaining a statement from a witness, Slater turned his attention to finding Earley, 42 at the time of abuse, who was located in his parked truck at the Mountain View boat ramp in Clinton. Earley was transported to the Criminal Investigations Division at the Sheriff’s Office and interviewed by Slater.
Following that interview, Slater obtained arrest warrants and placed Earley in custody. He was transported to the Anderson County Detention Facility without incident.
At the time of his arrest, Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker said, “Anderson County is safer today because of the excellent work by Detective Slater. I want to thank the victim and witness in this case for their courage and bravery.”
Following Earley’s conviction, DA Clark thanked the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, Assistant District Attorneys Abbott and Keith, Judge Ryan M. Spitzer, the Anderson County Criminal Court staff, and the jurors for their “exceptional” work during the investigative and legal processes. Assistant Victim Witness Coordinator, Katherine Sellers, aided in the prosecution of this case as well, according to Clark’s statement, which concluded with him stating, “may the delivery of justice and blessings of the Almighty allow our young victim to continue in her recovery from the trauma she suffered.”