MARION, Ohio – Marion County Sheriff Matt Bayles issued a strongly worded statement Friday rejecting a request from defense attorney Joel Spitzer to recuse his office from investigating Brendan Damron on alleged rape charges. Bayles emphasized that the crime occurred within the county’s jurisdiction and defended his detectives’ qualifications and impartiality.
Sheriff’s Office Stands Firm on Jurisdiction
Bayles noted that the two detectives assigned to the case collectively possess over 40 years of experience and have no connections to the Marion Police Department. “I have the utmost trust in their abilities, and the investigation is well underway,” he wrote in the statement released from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office at 100 Executive Drive.
The sheriff’s response comes after Spitzer emailed the recusal request around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, which quickly spread across social media by morning. Bayles described this rapid dissemination as evidence of an attempt to influence public opinion outside the courtroom.
Accusations of Victim Blaming and Media Tactics
Bayles sharply criticized Spitzer for selectively releasing text messages between Damron and the victim, calling them “taken, or can be taken, out of context” without full context. He labeled this approach “victim blame,” stating it disgusts him and deters rape victims from coming forward, as “no means no.”
Praising the victim’s courage, Bayles urged Spitzer to refrain from trying the case “in the press and social media.” He called for the matter to be decided by a Marion County jury based on all evidence presented in court.
This development escalates tensions in the high-profile case, with the sheriff’s office vowing to proceed amid public scrutiny. No court date has been announced.
