Former Iowa lawmaker found not guilty of spousal sex abuse

Source: AP-Excite

GARNER, Iowa (AP) — An Iowa jury on Wednesday found a longtime state lawmaker not guilty of sexually abusing his wife who suffered from dementia, an unusual case that centered on when a person is no longer mentally capable of consenting to sex.

After about 13 hours of deliberation over three days, jurors found Henry Rayhons, 78, not guilty of third-degree sexual abuse of his wife, Donna Lou Rayhons. He was accused of having sex with her at a nursing home in May after being told by staff that she was no longer capable of consenting due to dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. She died in August.

Henry Rayhons testified in his own defense that on the night in question the couple held hands, prayed and kissed, but had no sexual contact.

"The truth finally came out," Rayhons said after the verdict, noting that he believed his wife was "with him" throughout the trial.

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Henry Rayhons hugs members of his family after being found not guilty of sexual abuse at the Hancock County Courthouse in Garner, Iowa, on Wednesday, April 22, 2015. (Bryon Houlgrave/Des Moines Register via AP) NO SALES, MAGS OUT, TV OUT, MANDATORY CREDIT

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