Jury acquits man on rape counts

YOUNGSTOWN — After five hours of deliberations, a six-man, six-woman jury acquitted a 21-year-old Madison, Ohio, man of two counts of rape.

The jury rendered its verdict today in the case of Blake A. Moskowitz, who was charged with raping a 25-year-old female co-worker Dec. 6, 2006, in the rented North Side house, where he lived while he was a Youngstown State University student.

Moskowitz’ trial began Monday before Judge John M. Durkin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

“Justice was truly served here,” said Moskowitz’ lawyer, John W. Greven of Akron, after the verdicts were read. Greven said his client always had maintained this was a consensual sexual encounter. “That was our defense, and the jury believed it,” Greven said.