Tuesday, February 12, 2019

Wyse sentencing
A Cocke County has been sentenced to a ten year prison term stemming from his conviction on rape and incest charges in October of last year. Edward Rudolph Wyse, Jr, 44, Buda Road, Newport, was charged in the case involving a 17 year-old female. The victim went to school the morning of the 2016 incident and while picking up her ADHD medication, told a school counselor about the incident. Later she told a counselor that the defendant entered her bedroom during the early morning hours, removed her clothes and had sex with her. Following the allegation, Wyse was interviewed by Newport Detective Derrick Webb, and he admitted to the sexual contact. During the trial, Asst. DA Tonya Thornton told the jury that Wyse told the victim to not tell anyone what happened. But Defense Counsel Brett Cole told the panel that the victim lied about the incident and the confession of the defendant also was a lie. In her testimony before the jury, the victim testified she "created a false thing" when she said she had been raped. "I know he loves me too much to do that," she testified. "I felt like I was not wanted by my family, I was scared and had a panic attack," she added. The now 19 year-old told the jury she wants to return to the home of her mother, father, and brothers. "I want to give him a second chance, everyone deserves a second chance," she testified. Detective Webb said the defendant initially denied the accusation saying he does not want to stay in jail for the rest of his life. But he later confessed to the offense. Following the jury verdict, Circuit Court Judge James Gass revoked bond for the defendant and ordered him jailed pending sentencing. Wyse faced a term of up to 18 years on the conviction. During the Monday sentencing, Judge Gass found the sentence should be enhanced because of a violation of the victim's private trust. The court also ordered Wyse to undergo HIV testing, register as a sex offender and be under community supervision for life. The defendant also faces another trial on charges of rape and incest involving the same victim. It will be scheduled for a later date.


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