Ebelsheiser Trial begins
Jason Ebelsheiser trial began October 20, 2010 in Mahaska County Iowa
The trial of alleged sexual abuse began Wednesday with opening statements from both the prosecution and defense. Jury selection the previous day provided 14 jurists out of the 40 that started the process. The 14 jurists 12 regular and 2 alternates hear opening testimony from the States prosecuting attorney Becky Goettsch and Mr. Ebelsheiser’s attorney Leon Spies.
During opening statements on Wednesday, Ebelsheiser appeared attentive rubbing his chin while listening to the prosecution and defense.
Ebelsheiser graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2004, opening his own practice in Oskaloosa the following year in 2005. He’s been described up and coming, and charming. He is known for generosity and helping patients with being able to afford his service.
The prosecution painted a cold and calculating type of person that was under this outward appearance. They stated he used his trust as a doctor to touch women inappropriately. The accusers didn’t know or want to tell anyone. There was confusion on who to trust, who to tell and that constant embarrassment.
Dr Ronnie Boesch explains spinal manipulation to the jury
The women are stunned by what happens, shocked by statements he would make, “oops, sorry got carried away”. “Jason Ebelsheiser loved the power that that trust gave him. He loved and was intoxicated by that power and that love that his patients gave him.” “He abused trust to feed a sexual desire in himself and to go places on womens bodies that should not have been.” Goettsch stated during her opening statements.
Spies, Ebelsheiser’s defense attorney, painted a far different one that was painted by the state. They spoke of him as a “pioneer” of newer treatments being offered in the field of chiropractic care. They pointed out how he had complied with police since the beginning, even at the request of council not to. He admitted to police that yes, it would have been possible to touch that area on women during the course of treatment. Spies also stated how they intended to show that such accidental touching was not sexual in nature at all. “Jason Ebelsheiser became, in this community, kind of a pioneer of a wide variety of chiropractic treatments, not necessarily those taught at his alma mater, Palmer College,” state Spies about his client.
But after 2 women had reported the inappropriate touching, Oskaloosa Police detective Lt. Boston started investigating for a crime. During the investigation Ebelsheiser became aware of 4 of the 5 women who complained. The state claims he altered those records attempting to cover up a crime.
Ebelsheiser is facing 7 counts of sexual assault in the 3rd degree and 1 count of tampering with records. Sexual assault in the 3rd degree is a Class C felony and is punishable by 10 years in prison on each count.
The court heard that day from 2 women accusing Ebelsheiser of the misconduct as well as a an expert, a Dr. Ronnie Boesch from Ebelsheisers former school. He stated he could think of no reason at all for a patient to be touched in the way the women were describing.
On my way leaving court that day, one can tell this is a community divided on this subject. A female patient of Dr. Jason Ebelsheiser said “He can’t be guilty, he’s never done anything like that at all to me while I was there. I hope he’s found not guilty.”
On a side note, this is one of those stories that takes a huge amount of time and shows the limitations of what we at Osky News are able to cover. With one of our main writers in school all day, and the other working during the day our coverage will be minimal of this story. It’s also a very difficult thing to listen to personally. I have enjoyed KCCI’s coverage of the story so far, and I would suggest keeping up with their reports on the trial as they have been very good. We do intend to cover the day of the verdict, and bring that and the reaction to it to our audience.
