MIAMI COUNTY — A Miami County Common Pleas Court jury deliberated for more than nine hours and found Timothy Penkal, 38, of Greenville, not guilty of first-degree felony rape on Thursday.

The trial began on Tuesday with Judge Christopher Gee presiding. The case was closed for deliberations at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The jury reconvened at 9 a.m. Thursday and submitted their unanimous voted of not guilty decision around noon Thursday.

Penkal was represented by defense attorney Patrick Mulligan of Dayton. Miami County Assistant Prosecutor Janna Parker represented the state of Ohio and the victim, who was under the age of 13 at the time the alleged offense occurred.

The jury heard witness testimony from the female victim, now 14, the reporting party and Piqua Police Department Officer Christopher Yingst.