Dakota Woman Gets 20 Years in Child Sex Case - Update

(Mandan, North Dakota) In August 2012, a 34-year-old local woman, Jenelle Chase, was found guilty by a jury of continuous sex abuse of a 12-year-old boy and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The verdict was appealed to the North Dakota Supreme Court.

Chase argued on appeal that the jury should have been required to unanimously agree on three specific instances of sexual abuse, not just that three instances had occurred.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday upheld Chase’s conviction in a three paragraph opinion, writing that the verdict was supported by substantial evidence and that court precedent holds that the jury did not have to unanimously agree on three specific acts.

Chase must also serve five years of probation and register as a sex offender.

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Dakota Woman Accused of Sex with Boy
[Previous 3/28/12 post]
(Mandan, North Dakota) A 34-year-old local woman, Jenelle Chase, has been accused of engaging in sex with a young boy over a period of 18 months.

Chase faces a charge of continuous sex abuse of a child, a felony.

The crime happened from August of 2009 to March of 2011.

According to court records, Chase had sex numerous times with the boy when he was 12 and 13 years old.

The boy was staying with Chase at the time. He told authorities he was sexually assaulted every day.

Chase has a prior conviction of child neglect.

Details on booking are unavailable.