UPDATE 5:10 p.m.: Jury finds Stapleton guilty of attemtped rape in 2002 case

BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. – A jury gave a mixed verdict this afternoon in the trial of Jimmy Joe Stapleton, convicting him of one count each of attempted aggravated rape and aggravated assault, and on two lesser counts of assault. They found him not guilty on one charge of aggravated assault, after deliberating for nearly six hours.

Stapleton, 31, could face up to 12 years for the rape conviction, and a maximum of six years for aggravated assault.

The verdict came more than five years after the Sept. 24, 2002, incident, which occurred at an apartment complex in Blountville. Prosecutors brought the case to a jury despite not having the testimony of the principal victim, Christa Brae Hart, who died in October 2002.

“We are pleased the jury convicted him of a sex crime, and that he is facing some serious time” in prison, Assistant District Attorney General Barry Staubus said following the verdict.

David Mullins, Stapleton’s attorney, said, “We strongly disagree with the jury’s verdict,” but said he would consult with the defendant before deciding whether to appeal.

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BLOUNTVILLE, Tenn. - Following closing arguments, the jury in the rape trial of Jimmy Joe Stapleton began deliberating around 10:30 a.m. today.
Stapleton, 31, is charged with one count of aggravated rape and four counts of aggravated assault.
The incident occurred at a party in September 2002. Christa Brae Hart, the 23-year-old woman Stapleton is accused of raping, was found dead three weeks later in South Holston Lake. A different man has been charged in her death.
The jury asked that the 911 tape from the night of the incident be replayed in private. At 1:20 p.m., the panel was called back to the courtroom so the judge could restate the definition of aggravated rape.
Deliberations continued at 2 p.m.