Overview
- The bench trial of Erica Grove, which concluded with both sides resting on Aug. 27, now moves to closing arguments and a verdict to be issued by Judge Robert Peeler.
- Prosecutors presented hundreds of explicit text messages and related images exchanged between Grove and co-defendant Tony McCollister as the core evidence alleging grooming and sexual abuse of a 5‑year‑old.
- The defense argued the texts were adult sexual fantasy or role‑play, highlighted there were no photos showing abuse of the child, and rested without calling any witnesses or putting Grove on the stand.
- A forensic toxicologist testified that hair testing showed no indication the child had been drugged, a point Judge Peeler cited when questioning whether the texts alone prove the crimes.
- Grove has already pleaded guilty to multiple counts of sexual conduct with animals, McCollister was not called by prosecutors and faces a separate trial next month, and the judge’s expressed doubts raise the stakes for how text-only evidence is judged.