MONESSEN MAN’S TRIAL UNDERWAY

The trial of a Monessen man charged with sexual assault got underway yesterday.  The Trib reports that 63-year-old Jerry Griest is charged with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and other crimes in connection with allegations that he sexually assaulted an autistic woman in her apartment in 2022.  In opening statements before Judge Christopher Feliciani yesterday, Griest’s attorneys claimed the sexual relationship between him and the alleged victim was consensual in nature.  The prosecution says the victim will testify today, saying she had rejected his sexual advances multiple times during the attack.