Emotions continued to run high through closing arguments when both sides gave jurors a lot to think about.
In her closing argument, prosecutor Jan Norman recounted the stages of the alleged attack on the victim.
She was emotional at times when she described events that took place on June 23, 2013.
She explained to jurors that intoxication was not a valid defense Batey’s alleged actions. Norman reminded the jury there were both photo and video evidence proving Batey was guilty on every count.
“Rape is not about sex,” said Norman. “It’s about feeling power over someone else. He treated her like a piece of trash.”
The defense countered with the fact that Batey was manipulated by Brandon Vandenburg, who is being tried separately in June. Defense Attorney Courtney Teasley frequently referred to Vandenburg as a “puppet master.”
Teasley said Batey had consumed more alcohol than he ever had before, and has no recollection of the events of the evening.
“What happened to her is not right, but it’s not rape,” said Teasley. “You know what rape is and Mr. Batey is not guilty of that.”
The jury began deliberating at 8:35 p.m.
