(KNZA/AP)--The second in a series of trials for a Holton man accused of sexually assaulting five women began Monday morning with jury selection.
The trial involves two cases against 22-year-old Jacob Ewing — one involving the alleged rape and aggravated criminal sodomy of a woman in September 2014, the other involving the alleged rape and two incidents of aggravated criminal sodomy of another woman in May 2016.
A jury acquitted Ewing in May on charges of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl on the hood of his car in a local cemetery when he was 19.
Additional trials are scheduled in August and October. In May, Ewing was also charged with 13 counts of sexual exploitation of a child involving alleged child pornography.
The accusations against Ewing have divided the Holton community of some 3,300 people.
His supporters have put signs in their front yards and packed court proceedings wearing T-shirts emblazoned with messages of support for him.
On the other side, advocates for the women he is accused of assaulting have formed a support group on Facebook called "I support the Victims of Jacob Ewing" that also has organized volunteers to sit in the courtroom during proceedings.
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