Jury reaches verdict in rape trial of fmr. Kentucky Justice Cabinet Secretary

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - A jury has reached a verdict in the Lexington rape trial of former state lawmaker John Tilley.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reports that after five hours of deliberation, a jury found Tilley not guilty of rape.

Tilley is a former Democratic representative. He was also a cabinet member under former Republican Governor Matt Bevin.

Tilley was accused of sexually assaulting a woman at Lexington’s Marriott City Center in 2022.

According to the Herald-Leader, prosecutors said in opening statements that Tilley booked a room to have sex with the victim. She was severely intoxicated.

Tilley’s lawyer said the two had consensual sex. He called the woman “aggressive, flirty and clingy.”