Baldwin found not guilty in trial Tuesday

A Redkey man has been found not guilty of raping a mentally disabled person.

Teddy R. Baldwin, 76, received a directed verdict Tuesday in Jay Circuit Court during his bench trial, finding him not guilty of three Level 3 felonies for rape in which the victim is mentally disabled or deficient. Two other Level 3 felonies for the same charge, allegedly committed in 2014, were dismissed with prejudice, and a third Level 3 felony for alleged rape in 2023 was dismissed without prejudice.

A probable cause affidavit filed in connection with the case alleged Baldwin knowingly or intentionally performed sexual acts with the victim identified as “NW” multiple times in his Redkey residence and at his rural Jay County property. Baldwin allegedly warned NW after having sex that he “couldn't tell anyone or he would get arrested,” according to the affidavit, and would threaten that NW would be “sent to a home” and his “mother would be left alone” if he told others about the sexual acts. Baldwin would also offer to take NW out to eat or buy him items he wanted in exchange for not telling others, the document says.

NW, 31, expressed to police that it wouldn't have made a difference if he had asked Baldwin to stop during the sexual acts and said Baldwin was intimidating, according to the affidavit.

Following the prosecution’s case presented Tuesday, chief public defender Brandon Murphy argued the dates aligned with charges didn’t match up with evidence presented.

Circuit court judge Brian Hutchison agreed, pointing to charges allegedly happening on or around Dec. 25, 2022, and Dec. 20, 2023. He also questioned whether the prosecution proved the victim is disabled or deficient as the statute defines, making it difficult to find Baldwin guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the crime.

Baldwin’s bond was then released.

A transgender male, NW testified Tuesday and shared a few instances in which he said Baldwin touched his genitals and breasts, used a vibrator on him and engaged in sex.

He said some of the incidents happened at their Redkey home and others at the “farm,” a property later identified as being located on county road 350 South in rural Portland. He recalled some of the incidents occurring in the winter. He also said the events occurred around the time his biological father died (November 2023).

NW said he told Baldwin no to sexual acts, with Murphy later questioning when NW would tell Baldwin to stop. Murphy pointed to medical records from visits NW made to a doctor in the latter half of 2023 and March 2024, noting the records indicate he told providers he was not sexually active at that time.

Jay County prosecutor Wes Schemenaur asked NW whether he understands what sex is, with NW saying he does not but likened it to “hugging and kissing.”

Liberty Noble, the victim’s therapist for the last several years, said NW has generalized anxiety disorder and a moderate intellectual disability. She said she believes NW isn’t capable of consenting to a sexual relationship and said he expressed he has no interest in one.

Answering a question from Murphy, Noble confirmed NW had a history of schizophrenia and prior hallucinations, with some occurring during his treatment. Murphy also pointed to general complaints NW aired with Noble about his stepfather between November 2023 and March and April 2024.

NW’s mother said her son can be taken advantage of because of his condition.

Jay County Sheriff’s Office investigator Tony Lennartz said he began looking into the case when it was brought to police April 20. He recalled searching the rural Portland property, where NW directed him to a mattress, vibrator and sex lubricant allegedly used for the acts.