Case against Brian Reavis underway

Jurors were sworn in Tuesday and state prosecutors began to call their witnesses. Among those called, the now 96-year-old victim who took the stand to face her accused attacker, Brian Reavis.

Twelve jurors took their seats, nine women and three men. Among the witnesses called to the stand, the elderly victim herself.

In a firm voice, she told the jury she was attacked on April 12th of last year as she walked outside to get the morning paper.

She said her attacker demanded money, but when twenty dollars was not enough, that’s when the victim said she was forced upstairs and was brutally beaten and raped.

She went on to say she begged her attacker to stop, telling him she was 95-years-old. But he just kept hitting her.

She said she thought it would never stop.

Despite being blinded in her right eye from the attack, the victim, who was poised, faced her accused attacker. Reavis sat quietly, hunched over in his seat with no reaction.

The jury also had a chance to hear from a neighbor, the 911 operator who took the victim’s call and the first responding officer.

Prosecutors played the 911 tape for the jury, some of who were obviously shaken.

In cross-examination of the victim, Reavis’ attorney focused on the composite sketch, which forensic artists drew from the victim’s description.

Some question the likeness of that sketch, to Brian Reavis.

Reavis’ attorney asked the victim to only qualify the description she gave for the composite sketch.

Tomorrow, Reavis’ attorney will have the opportunity to present his case.

With an insanity claim for the attack already on the books, the defense will weigh heavily on Reavis’ history of mental illness.