Prosecutor: 7-year-old’s Testimony in Mencer Trial “Inspiring, Courageous Act”

Convicted Jefferson County rapist, John Mencer, was re-sentenced Monday to life in prison.  

Mencer was found guilty of rape and sexual battery of a 5-year-old family member last week after a one day trial.  He had to be re-sentenced Monday afternoon because the court forgot to tell him that part of his sentence forces him to submit a DNA sample.

When asked if he wanted to make a statement by Jefferson County Common Pleas Judge Michelle Miller, Mencer said,”like I said before, I am totally innocent.”

Before the hearing he told his family that the jury “had their minds made up 2 years ago” when he was first indicted.  Assistant prosecutor Jeff Bruzzese says it was a fair trial.

“The court’s job and my job as an assistant prosecutor is to give everybody accused a fair trial. I am confident that Mr. Mencer did have a fair trial and that the evidence was substantial and  he was convicted upon the evidence and not upon anything improper that he may be alleging at this point,” Bruzzese said.

He added that the young victim showed bravery in his testimony.

“This was a big day in this young man’s life. While getting ready for trail and preparing for trial, this young victim told me he was very afraid of testifying, that he was very afraid of being in the building with the man who assaulted him, but that he had to do, and he wanted to testify in order to keep other children safe. Certainly, from a boy his age to be worried about others like that, it was an inspiring, courageous act on his part,” he said. 

Prosecutor Bruzzese says he is “certain (Mencer) will file and appeal.”  The 69-year-old, is eligible for parole in 15 years, and will have to register as a Tier 3 sex offender if he ever gets out of prison.