A Stayton has been found not guilty of rape and domestic assault. His charges have been dismissed.
After a bench trial Nov. 30, 2023, in Marion County Circuit Court, Mark Dean Graham, 65, was found not guilty of first-degree rape, fourth-degree assault and strangulation. He otherwise faced at least 100 months in prison.
Graham was arrested for domestic assault July 29, 2023, and the alleged victim later claimed Graham raped her in 2020.
Prior to trial Graham submitted evidence that he suffered greater injuries during the July 29 altercation. He also submitted text messages in which the alleged victim accused him of cheating on her and demanded he move out.
Based on this evidence, as well as testimony from the alleged victim and law enforcement, Judge Thomas Hart decided to dismiss the charges and the case was officially dropped Dec. 1, 2023.
