A Harmony man convicted in January of raping a girl multiple times when she was 7 to 12 years old 25 years ago is seeking a new trial or dismissal of the charges, arguing that he was prosecuted based on his membership in Jehovah Witnesses.
A Butler County Common Pleas Court jury convicted Shaun P. Sheffer, 47, on felony charges of rape by forcible compulsion, rape of a mentally disabled person and rape of a person less than 13 years old; and misdemeanor charges of indecent assault of a person less than 13, indecent assault without consent, indecent assault of a person with a mental disability and corruption of minors. He is serving a sentence of 14 to 34 years in prison.
“This courtroom wreaked of religious persecution,” said defense attorney Al Lindsay, who represented Sheffer at his sentencing, but not his trial…