A Kenosha teenager will face a new trial after being found guilty of sexual assault

Martel Lee, a 16-year-old found guilty of second-degree sexual assault, will have a new trial after a judge announced a mistrial.

Based on jury affidavits and court records, the judge overturned the previous verdict, finding there had been a “miscarriage of justice.”

Since Lee was initially found guilty, a series of inconsistencies led not only the community to question Lee’s conviction, but also the three jurors who heard the case.

The complaint says the victim repeatedly changed key details of the incident and briefly recanted her testimony.

Court documents show that one of the jurors wrote a letter to the judge after the verdict saying she felt “compelled” to vote for conviction. She also claimed that some jurors “sleep and lock themselves in the bathroom” to avoid participating in discussions.

Other documents reveal that jurors who were leaning toward a not guilty verdict were told by supporters of a guilty verdict that they would “make the decision for them so they can all go home.”

Watch: Jury and community question conviction in Kenosha teenager’s case

Calls for justice grow as jurors and community question conviction in Kenosha teenager’s case

“Enough. We cannot tolerate this in our community and we cannot allow our boys, our young ladies and our community to fear the justice system,” said City Councilman Kenny Harper.

Lee was accused of sexually assaulting a classmate in a bathroom at Indian Trail High School in April of this year. That summer he was tried as an adult and found guilty. Lee has been in prison since his arrest last spring.

Tanya McLean of Leaders of Kenosha said they will “support 16-year-old Martel Lee to help share his story.”

Jennifer Jones, Lee’s mother, said she hoped the judge would grant a new trial. “Everyone clearly sees that my son is innocent. Read the original crime report and you will see that my son is innocent,” Jones said.

The next hearing in this case is scheduled for November 26.

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