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Guilty Verdict in Child Sex Case

Morris facing 91 to 215 years for acts against her daughter

By FRED CONNORS
POSTED: October 11, 2008

Article Photos


WHEELING - Jessica Morris is facing 91-215 years in prison after being convicted Friday on 11 counts of sexual misconduct involving her daughter.

A jury of nine men and three women deliberated for two hours and 45 minutes before finding Morris guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree sexual assault, three counts of first-degree sexual assault, four counts of sexual abuse by a parent and three counts of incest.

During the three-day trial, the now 9-year-old victim took the stand, as did expert witnesses in the field of child psychology and counseling, the child's foster parents and Morris.

Testimony revealed that the victim disclosed to child psychologists and counselors that she had been sexually assaulted numerous times by her mother and her mother's boyfriend, Jack Jones.

According to the testimony, the child was molested when she was as young as 3 years old. The assaults included having Morris perform sex acts on the child, allegedly in conjunction with Jones; having the child perform sex acts on Morris and allegedly Jones; and Morris holding the child down while Jones allegedly performed a sex act on her.

Morris denied all accusations against her and said she would never allow Jones or anyone else to assault her daughter.

Assistant Ohio County Prosecutor Gail Kahle, who worked the trial with Assistant Prosecutor Jenna Wood, said his calculations show Morris could face from 91 to 215 years in prison.

Morris appeared to be surprised as Circuit Court Judge James Mazzone read the verdicts, but she maintained her composure as she was led out of the courtroom by Ohio County sheriff's deputies en route to the Northern Regional Jail.

Earlier in the day, defense attorney Michael Alberty presented two expert witnesses.

Dr. Michael Crabtree, a private practice psychologist and professor of psychology at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa., told the jury he did not believe the child's memories of events were credible because some of the alleged assaults occurred before the child had the capacity to develop a memory.

Dr. David Mosman, a pediatrician at Wheeling Hospital, testified he examined the child in November 2004 for tonsillitis but did not perform any evaluation relevant to sexual assault. He said other doctors in his medical group examined the child six times between 2003 and 2006 for pediatrician issues and there was no indication of assault.

Member Comments
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SphinxRising58
10-16-08 6:57 PM
sweetmomma260: Sure you make 32 bucks an hour, as it's yur fantasy so why not give yourself a raise & claim you make 50 bucks anhour ? LOL

As far as intelligence is concerned, look who writes all in caps, you & Sweetgal260, who echeos each other like some digital recording, and you are rather defensive about my claims that you and Sweetgal260 are one & the same person, lol

I would get into an intelligence war with you, but I do not make it a habit to fight unarmed people, lol

You have a nice day, hear ? LOL

0819doms
10-16-08 5:48 PM
Who doesn't care about the child? I for one do. She needs to stay right where she's at. If she goes with someone in Jessica's family she's gonna be messed up than she already is. That's what ****** me off about sweetgal, she was all about defending Jess's honor, which I understand because she's her friend. But the ONLY really important issue is the children. They've been taken to safety finally, and hopefully they will grow up to be better people than Jess and Jack.

And you don't have to spout off about your IQ and how much money you made because no one really cares.

sweetmomma260
10-16-08 5:20 PM
I SEE YOUR IQ ISN'T VERY HIGH!!I NOT ON HERE TO FIGHT WITH THE LIKES OF YOU. MY LIFE IS GOOD -- I MADE 32 DOLLARS A HOUR FOR MY INTELLIGENCE SOMETIMES MORE [LIFE IS GREAT] THIS IS SWEETMOMMA --- SWEETGAL IS SOMEONE ELSE--- THE ONLY REASON YOU ARE SO BITTER IS BECAUSE LIFE SU--- FOR YOU AND YOU WANT EVERYONE TO BE LIKE YOU. AND THINK LIKE YOU WE ARE ALL DIFFERENT [THANK GOD] I'M DONE

SphinxRising58
10-16-08 9:44 AM
sweetmomma260: Yes, Sweetmomma or Sweetgal, you are the entertainment incase that failed to register in that rather limited intelligence of yours.

Life ***** & so do you, lol

sweetmomma260
10-16-08 2:51 AM
YOU PEOPLE ARE CRUEL NO HEARTS NO FEELINGS YOU JUST WANT SOME--ONE TO HANG!!!!YOU DON'T ABOU T THIS LIL GIRL. JUST YOUR OWN FEELINGS. OK I'M DONE I SAID, I WOULD NOT GET ON HERE AGAIN.ENTERTAINMENT ???... NO FACTS I'M DONE

SphinxRising58
10-15-08 11:02 AM
HettysMom: I agree with you, as there is not entertaining value what-so-ever in regards to the actual story, or the people that was involved in it.

Only the craziness of some posts was mildly entertaining.

0819doms
10-15-08 9:38 AM
Sweet gal ~ How I know her is irrelevant. And yes, I would go up to her face and tell her she got what she deserved. And as for you saying Jessica's family should get the kids, which one would that be? Her father who was arrested not long ago or the many drug addicts who did such a bang up job with Jess? You are clueless. I wouldn't leave my kids with anyone in that family for any reason.

Now I'm done with you. Nothing is getting through your thick skull and its a waste of my time. Nothing is going to change the fact that she's locked up forever and I have much better things to do with my time than argue with the likes of you. All this ranting and raving you done and who's minds have been swayed? Nobodies. Get a life.

HettysMom
10-15-08 7:28 AM
Sphinx, I gotta give you credit for posting what I have been thinking! I have been watching this post for far longer than I normally would - I am a busy working mom with truly better things to do - but the entertainment factor of the ridiculous posts is irresistible. (Now, before anyone goes off on me, I am NOT entertained by this sad, sick story - just the moronic comments posted regarding the story. Can't believe I have to include that little disclaimer...)

SphinxRising58
10-15-08 4:49 AM
sweetgal260: You claim you are 30, but carry on like some immature teenager, & then boast of life's knowledge & wisdom, lol

Can you say Oxymoron ?

SphinxRising58
10-15-08 4:46 AM
sweetgal260: sure you SWEETMOMMA260 are two different people, as I guess it is just a coincidence you two echo each other and boyth have 260 at the end of your name, huh ?

As far as claiming other people on her are " sick ", like you have room to talk considering some of your past rants, & how you continure to evade the facts that they did have evidence Jessica was a willing participant, and how the one doctor was wrong, and I never un out of things to say, just felt like messing with you for personal amusement, baiting you, and it worked like a charm, you are so predictable, lol

sweetgal260
10-15-08 4:06 AM
this is not for entertainment... this is some serious shit... i'm not on here to amuse anyone...you just ran out of*****to say..so u had to come off with something like that.. I think i remember saying people on here are sick...I'm 30 and I have more knowledge on this and life period...you sure don't talk like your 50...lol and who the*****has time to get on here to (screw around) as u put it.and no one has answered my questions, R U SCARED? SWEETGAL AND SWEETMOMMA ARE TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE...LOL SphinxRising58: I KNOW ENOUGH...

SphinxRising58
10-14-08 11:59 PM
Sweetgal260: Oh, BTW, please do keep posting, as you are providing me with great entertainment, so I guess that makes others saying you are worthless untrue, as you do ammuse me somewhat, lol

SphinxRising58
10-14-08 11:39 PM
Sweetgal260: " Dr. Michael Crabtree, a private practice psychologist and professor of psychology at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa., told the jury he did not believe the child's memories of events were credible because some of the alleged assaults occurred before the child had the capacity to develop a memory..............DUH "

Well, what part of the doctor was wrong did you fail to comprehend ? I can clearly recall back to when I was two & I am 50 now so there goes the doctor's opinion, as I just made it worthless, hope he injoys what the defense paid him, 30 pieces of silver.

SphinxRising58
10-14-08 11:34 PM
0819doms: I agree with you on rrecall & age, as doctos do not always get it right, but you cannot reason with the likes of sweetgal260 ( if in fact if she is not a he screwing around for attention ), as they obviously have limited comrephension on what physical evidence is, and seems to have appointed themselves the sole " expert " regarding jessica.

SphinxRising58
10-14-08 11:29 PM
sweetgal260 or sweetmomma260, or whatever other name you use on here: Oh, I am the ignorant one ?

Seems to me you are the ignorant one, in that she was found guilty by physical evidence, but according to you, she was " railroaded " as if you know anything other than what you have read, & even that seems to be hard for the likes of you to comprehend.

Personally, I beieve you are a on-line troll, as look at the stuff you write: " SphinxRising58: YOUR JUST AN IGNORANT PERSON.AND HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN BLOG ABOUT SOMETHING U DON'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT,,PLEASE TAKE 10 SLEEPING PILLS AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING ".

SphinxRising58
10-14-08 11:28 PM
sweetgal260 or sweetmomma260, or whatever other name you use on here:

All the maturity of a 6 year old on a sugar buzz, and that was one of your mellow posts, when you are not using caps ans swearing like some moron.

As I said before, Crabtree was wrong, as I can recall back to when I was two very clearly so his expert advice was not so accurate, but then again, he was working for the defense and will try to bring evidence into question, which shows the good doctor has no ethics.

sweetgal260
10-14-08 11:27 PM
(You keep dishing out more dirty laundry and she's going to look worse than she already does)THAT WAS FOR JACK NOT JESSICA.. SO YOU HAVE KNOWN HER FOR 15 YEARS... SO UR SUPPOSED TO BE A FRIEND? CO WORKER?CASE WORKER? WHAT... I WANNA KNOW HOW U KNOW HER DID U GROW UP WITH HER? AND DOMS AFTER KNOWING HER FOR 15 YEARS WOULD YOU GO UP TO JESSICA'S FACE AND SAY YOU GOT WHAT U DESERVED? U SHOULD GO TO PRISON FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE? THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT MURDER AND ARE IN NUT HOUSES RIGHT NOW, NOT DOWN 4 LIFE... DID U KNOW HER CHILDREN? U MUST NOT OF TO SAY WHAT DID SHE DO TO*****HER OFF SO BADLY... STUBBORN MAYBE......MANIPULATED H*** YES I WANT TO KNOW WHAT ALL U KNOW SO I KNOW WHAT IM ARGUING FOR....

0819doms
10-14-08 10:49 PM
And one more thing...not to cause more of an argument but I have a 9 year old who can very clearly remember events from when he was 3 years old. He remembers them like it happened yesterday. And...if the child did lie...what exactly did Jessica do to*****her off so badly? That's one stubborn child to have stuck to a "lie" all this time. My son would have caved in a long time ago.

0819doms
10-14-08 10:44 PM
had gotten her the help she needed when she was younger this wouldn't have happened. YOU should know that poor girl practically raised herself and was allowed to run wild as long as she wasn't rockin' the boat and interfering with her mother's partying. That is all moot at this point though. I still stand behind what I say. She got what she deserved. And you getting all defensive is not making her look any better. You keep dishing out more dirty laundry and she's going to look worse than she already does. I'm allowed to state my opinion as are you and everyone else. Nothing you say is going to change the fact that she's going to be in prison for the rest of her life. Overall, I must say though...she's lucky to have you. I can tell you love her dearly and will continue to be there for her which is exactly what she needs right now.

0819doms
10-14-08 10:40 PM
I've known her for 15 years. And no I haven't been there for her for the past few because I got tired of all the crap. So don't pull any ounches with me sweetgal, okay? If you know her like you say you do then you know she has always been selfish and thoughtless and a follower. Regardless, you don't need to get nasty...it seems like all YOU do is hear what you want. I realize you love her, I got it OK? But you and I both know she's guilty. That doesn't mean I don't feel for her or the children...I do. I wish none of this had ever happened. It seems like Jessica has never had a chance in life. She got delt a very bad hand. I tried for YEARS to help her and she wouldn't have it because she wanted to have fun and didn't want anyone telling her what to do. I think it is wonderful that you are standing behind your friend. As I said before, I will always hold a special place in my heart for her. But unfortunately she has been a lost cause for a long time. Maybe if her family

onlysunshine
10-14-08 8:05 PM
I am not part of that"retarded system". I can clearly see with highly educated ppl like you working for the system that they were far better off with you there. No one made any type of money off this case. I do know specifics about the case that are not released to the public. I do know Jessica in a personal and professional manner and I can say without a doubt she was NOT railroaded. Jessica is a master manipulator. I have witnessed on serveral occassions her bold face lies. regaurdless, all 3 of those babies are now safe and sound.

sweetgal260
10-14-08 7:35 PM
I THINK EVERYONE NEEDS TO READ CAREFULLY CAUSE MOST OF U PEOPLE ARE JUST PICKING OUT WHAT U WANT TO HEAR............

sweetgal260
10-14-08 7:33 PM
SphinxRising58: YOUR JUST AN IGNORANT PERSON.AND HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO THAN BLOG ABOUT SOMETHING U DON'T KNOW NOTHING ABOUT,,PLEASE TAKE 10 SLEEPING PILLS AND CALL ME IN THE MORNING.. Dr. Michael Crabtree, a private practice psychologist and professor of psychology at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pa., told the jury he did not believe the child's memories of events were credible because some of the alleged assaults occurred before the child had the capacity to develop a memory..............DUH

sweetgal260
10-14-08 7:24 PM
and Jack personally I'm sure most of your info is coming from what the news has said or what the news paper printed.Did u people know this fact: this lil girl is not the only victim of JACK JONES there is a previous girlfriend that has children that were victims also. Just remember this I wrote in a earlier post JACK JONES said this over the phone while I was on the other line listening that (((IF I GO DOWN FOR THIS I AM TAKING U WITH ME)))))guess he wasn't lying huh? This is one of a million times that I told Jessica to get the*****away from him and she did not listen... SAYING I AM SCARED HE'S GOING TO KILL ME AND BURY ME WHERE NO ONE WILL EVERY FIND YOUR BODY ...LET ME SAY AGAIN THIS IS NOT AN ACCUSE FOR JESSICA JUST THE RAW FACTS THAT MOST OF YOU I'M SURE DON'T KNOW.. SO WITH SAYING ALL THAT I WILL FIGHT WITH ALL OF YOU TILL ONE OF YOU ACTUALLY KNOWS WHAT THE*****YOUR TALKING ABOUT..

sweetgal260
10-14-08 7:04 PM
cont... children what can I do I have done everything I can to get them back...!!!!!!!her daughter was with a couple different foster families about the 3rd foster family the accusations started... Jessica had visits with all 3 of her children until the last foster home they were in...If any of u have children I'm sure u know that children can be talked into saying anything.Example: (The whole show me where mommy touched u on this baby doll.) 5 out of 10 kids will pick a spot even if they don't have a mother. The other 5 out of the 10 will be thinking about where their mother touched them when they were bathing them..... Because the adult that is questioning the child never tells the child what is going on. Plus remember I have first hand experience from working for the system... But don't get me wrong not saying the lil girl wasn't abused or molested(BY JACK JONES) but making the point that her testify could not possibly be 99% accurate. and how many of u really know Jessica

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