Jury Gets Mesa Case

The jury in Jose Mesa’s rape trial can consider a lesser charge when it begins deliberating today, a day after the Cleveland pitcher’s lawyer suddenly rested his case without calling any witnesses.

Cuyahoga County Judge Thomas Curran ruled the jury of six men and six women may consider whether Mesa was guilty of the reduced charge of gross sexual imposition, instead of a charge of rape.

In addition, the judge threw out a felony assault charge against the Indians star reliever, saying the state did not prove Mesa intended to hurt one of the women.

Defense lawyer Gerald Messerman rested his case without calling anyone to the stand. Then, in closing arguments, he mocked the police investigation and challenged the truthfulness of Mesa’s accusers.