A 33-year-old Mercer man is standing trial this week in Lawrence County on charges that he molested a teenage girl over a period of years, with jury selection wrapping up Tuesday and opening arguments set for Wednesday morning. Davis Christian Dimit faces charges in the case.
Prosecutors allege the incidents occurred at a residence in Scott Township, as reported by New Castle News. The case centers on allegations that Dimit molested two teenage girls.
How the Case Reached Court
The investigation began in June 2023, when the alleged victim's parents went to a state police station to report that their daughter had been sexually assaulted, per the same account. Dimit was arrested in 2024 and remanded on a $100,000 bond.
Lawrence County is prosecuting the case, with Jonathan Miller serving as the Lawrence County assistant district attorney handling the matter. Dimit is represented by defense counsel. Dimit opted for a jury trial rather than a bench proceeding, and the panel selected Tuesday consists of two men and 10 women, with opening arguments scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas.
What the Charges Carry Under State Law
The corruption of minors charge against Dimit falls under a Pennsylvania statute that treats such conduct differently depending on its nature. Under state law outlined by the Pennsylvania General Assembly, conduct by an adult that corrupts or tends to corrupt the morals of a minor under 18 is classified as a first-degree misdemeanor when committed by someone 18 or older. The same statute classifies a course of conduct that also violates the state's sexual-offenses chapter as a third-degree felony.
The trial is taking place in the Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas, where J. Craig Cox serves as president judge. No verdict or trial outcome has been reported as proceedings got underway this week.
