Closing arguments finish in ex-Phillipsburg cop rape trial after he declined to testify

By Breaking News Team
By Breaking News Team

UPDATE @ 4:33 P.M.

Ex-Phillipsburg police officer Justin Sanderson used his badge as a shield to cover his crimes against women while he was on duty, prosecutors argued Thursday during closing arguments in Sanderson’s four-day trial.

Sanderson, 33, is on trial in front of Montgomery County Common Pleas Court Judge Steven Dankof for 19 counts including rape and kidnapping related to three separate incidents involving four women during May and June 2017. Sanderson waived a jury trial.

Defense attorney Anthony VanNoy told Dankof that there was only sexual conduct between Sanderson and one of the alleged victims, whom he had stopped for suspicion of drunk driving. VanNoy said that contact was consensual and could have happened because she was trying to get out of criminal trouble.

MORE COVERAGE OF THE TRIAL

• DAY 1: Two women testify, Sanderson says he was ‘professional’ with prostitutes

• DAY 2: Woman testifies about actions after traffic stop in 2017

• DAY 3: Another woman alleges sex crime in Phillipsburg office

UPDATE @ 2:20 P.M.

Closing arguments are underway in the trial of a former Phillipsburg police officer who is facing 19 counts, including rape, involving four women.

We’re live in the courtroom as the attorneys make their arguments.

Here’s a look at what’s happening:

UPDATE FROM THIS MORNING

Justin Sanderson, the ex-Phillipsburg police officer facing a trial this week on 19 counts including rape, kidnapping and other charges against four women in three incidents in May and June 2017, will not testify on his own behalf.

This morning, a Vandalia police detective testified about his department’s arrest of Sanderson in July 2017 and investigation of an alleged incident involving two women at a Knights Inn there.

We’ll be updating this story with developments throughout the day.

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