MAYVILLE - The trial for Eric Chant, the man who was charged in connection with a Jamestown abudction case in 2011, saw a quick end on Thursday.
Chant was accused of stealing a van from a town of Pomfret car lot, driving to Jamestown and taking a 12-year-old girl from her home. The girl was driven to the town of Pomfret before she managed to escape.
The trial, which was saddled with setbacks in the jury selection process, officially began on Thursday morning. Before either side read their opening statements, the defense agreed to a plea deal that had been presented by David Foley, Chautauqua County district attorney. The plea deal, which was offered in part to spare the victim from having to testify, was also put on the table once evidence came to light that an officer of the Jamestown Police Department had mishandled evidence in another case.
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Eric Chant
Chant plead guilty to one count of first-degree rape, a class B felony.
"We are prepared to plea to the fourth count of the indictment in full satisfaction," said Ned Barone, public defender.
Chant will be officially sentenced on Nov. 19. He faces 25 years in prison as well as 20 years post-release supervision.
The Jamestown Police Department will hold a media conference Friday to address the issue of the officer in question.