Convicted child sex offender claims innocence, fights for new trial

ELYRIA, Ohio - A former Amherst man convicted of molesting his stepchildren is fighting to clear his name.

Joel Covender, 43, is waiting for Ohio’s Ninth District Court of Appeals to decide if it will overturn a decision by a Lorain County Court of Common Pleas judge to deny him a hearing for a new trial.

Covender was convicted of gross sexual imposition and felonious sexual penetration for sexually abusing his then eight-year-old stepdaughter and seven-year-old stepson in 1996.

Both stepchildren recanted their testimonies during a June 2007 hearing.

In a motion filed by the court, Covender’s attorney, Scott Ramsey, said Covender should be granted a new trial because of new evidence and a legal error.

Ramsey said prosecutors failed to turn over counseling records of Covender's stepdaughter during the original trial.

The motion said the records indicate Covender’s stepdaughter had an issue with lying.

This is the third time Covender has appealed for a new trial in his stepdaughter's case.

Investigator Sarah Buduson interviewed Covender and his stepdaughter for an exclusive 5 On Your Side investigation.  

Our investigation reveals the unlikely allies who are helping Covender clear his name.

You can watch the story Monday night on NewsChannel5 at 11 p.m.

You can also join the conversation on Twitter at #5digs.