CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – A Clarksville man sent home to await sentencing after being found guilty of raping a teenage girl has killed himself.
Michael E. Proctor, 37, committed suicide, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jamie Dexter confirmed to The Leaf-Chronicle Friday.
A report about the suicide was not available Friday evening, he said.
Proctor was convicted Thursday of six counts of rape and several other charges on accusations he sexually abused a 13-year-old girl numerous times between July 2013 and April 2014.
The state, represented by Kimberly Lund, had one witness, the victim, who testified Proctor performed sex acts on her on at least five occasions.
Proctor took the stand in his own defense and denied all the allegations.
While his attorney, Edward Dewerff, argued her testimony was not enough to find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the jury believed the victim.
Allowed out on bond
Proctor wasn’t sent directly to Montgomery County Jail after his conviction Thursday because his bond was not revoked.
Following conviction, Judge Ross Hicks asked Lund and Dewerff if they would like to be heard on a possible bond revocation.
According to Tennessee law, if a defendant is convicted of rape, the judge is to revoke bond immediately. Although Proctor was convicted of rape, he was a first-time offender with no criminal history and had family ties in the community.
Lund asked that the bond be revoked due to the seriousness of the crime, and Dewerff asked for bond to remain, with conditions of release put in place.
Hicks ordered that Proctor have no contact with the victim and report to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office within 48 hours to register as a sex offender.
He was to return to court for sentencing on April 14.
After court adjourned, Proctor wept in the arms of family members. They could be heard trying reassure him it would be OK. ..Source.. by Tavia D. Green
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