WELLSVILLE, Ohio - A Columbiana County judge has denied the request of a Wellsville man to have his sex abuse conviction canceled.

According to court records, Judge Megan Bickerton has denied 72-year-old Spencer Kidder's request for the court to vacate his conviction and hold a new trial or hearing to present new evidence.

A jury found Kidder guilty of four counts of rape, two counts of sexual battery and one count of gross sexual imposition back in September of 2023. Kidder was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole.

Kidder appealed his conviction, arguing that his lawyer did not do enough to protect his rights and gave him bad advice on appealing the case.

Kidder also challenged the medical and mental health testimony used during his trial, arguing that the prosecution did not provide proper reports or background information to some experts.

However, a court filing from Wednesday, March 11, states that all of Kidder's arguments were without merit.

Kidder will continue serving his life sentence at the Noble Correctional Institution.

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