Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Post denies raping, cutting woman

Defendant called to witness stand

- TRACY M. NEAL

BENTONVILL­E — Brian Post took the witness stand Monday and denied raping or cutting off a portion of a woman’s leg.

Post, 48, of Springdale is charged with attempted capital murder, five counts of rape and first-degree battery. He pleaded not guilty to the charges. Post is being held on a $1 million bond in the Benton County Jail.

The woman was found lying partially clothed in a pool of blood on a bed with severe injuries to her leg May 19, 2015, according to the probable cause affidavit. The lower part of the woman’s right buttock and the back of her leg appeared to have been cut off almost down to the back of her knee, according to the affidavit.

Post was one of the witnesses the defense called after prosecutor­s rested their case.

The woman said last week Post repeatedly raped her in May 2015. She also said she believed she was drugged before being raped. The woman also testified Post cut her leg and caused her severe injuries.

Post said he ended the relationsh­ip with the woman

because of her abuse of prescripti­on drugs.

“Have you ever caused physical injury to her,” Kevin Lammers, one of Post’s attorneys, asked.

“No,” Post replied. “Have you ever raped her,” Lammers asked.

“No,” Post said. “Have you ever drugged her,” Lammers asked. “No,” Post said.

Post said the woman’s injuries were a mystery to him. He also said blood splatter

found in the home was blood from an injured dog.

A neighbor of the woman’s also testified he didn’t see Post’s vehicle at the woman’s home during the early hours of May 19, 2015.

Post said he never forced the woman to have sex.

Po s t told Ca p t . Ed Motsinger, head of the criminal investigat­ion division for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, he had sex with the woman when she didn’t have the ability to consent. The jury spent portions of the last two trial days watching a recording of the interview.

Four of the rape counts concern those allegation­s, according to court documents.

“At no time did I ever rape her,” Post said in response to questions from Lammers. “I know it sounded like I did on the videotape.”

Post said his misstateme­nt was due to his fear in the interrogat­ion.

The proceeding­s ended Monday with Post on the witness stand. Testimony will continue today as Lammers will continue questionin­g Post.

 ?? NWA Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER ?? Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies accompany Brian Post (center), 48, of Springdale, as he is led Friday into the Benton County Courthouse in Bentonvill­e. Post is charged with attempted capital murder, five counts of rape and first-degree battery.
NWA Democrat-Gazette/JASON IVESTER Benton County Sheriff’s Office deputies accompany Brian Post (center), 48, of Springdale, as he is led Friday into the Benton County Courthouse in Bentonvill­e. Post is charged with attempted capital murder, five counts of rape and first-degree battery.

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