Guilty Until Proven Innocent

In Ohio, a 14-year-old girl who is refusing to testify against a man who allegedly had sex with her — they both claim it didn't happen — is being held in an adult jail without access to a lawyer. From the 'And Justice For All' department:

A judge has jailed a 14-year-old girl who ran away rather than testify against a man accused of molesting her. The Norton Middle School student is being held indefinitely in an isolated area of the Summit County Jail on the orders of Common Pleas Judge James Murphy.

The teen, jailed since Wednesday, insists she is not a sex abuse victim and is demanding a lawyer be assigned to represent her, court records show. However, jail officials said Monday she cannot speak with anyone without permission from county prosecutors. Prosecutors say the teen is a material witness and is being held in jail for her own protection. But lawyers for defendant Galo Sanchez-Pesantes contend the state — with approval from the girl's mother — has "effectively kidnapped'' the teen, holding her in an adult jail while denying her access to an attorney in an effort to force her testimony.

[Thanks, Sploid]