Stoddard County jury finds Cape man guilty of statutory sodomy

BLOOMFIELD, Mo. -- A Cape Girardeau man has been found guilty of three counts of statutory sodomy for allegedly molesting a girl who was 9 years old at the time.

Gary D. Bice, 44, was found guilty by a Stoddard County jury on Wednesday following a two-day trial that was heard there on a change of venue, according to a news release from Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

The girl reported the abuse to her mother, who took her to the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence. The girl, now 10, testified that the abuse was almost daily for a period of time. On a videotaped interview shown to the jury, Bice admitted molesting the girl but said he only did it because she had asked him to and had pursued him.

At trial, Bice's lawyer argued that Bice made up his confession and hadn't really committed the crime and that Bice was "mentally slow," the release said. A Stoddard County deputy testified in rebuttal that Bice seemed completely normal for the year he's been in the county jail.

Judge Joe Z. Satterfield set sentencing for June 20. Bice faces up to life in prison on each of the three counts. The minimum possible sentence on each of the three counts is 10 years.

Pertinent address:

Bloomfield, MO