A Toledo man was sentenced to 30 months in prison for a sex crime committed when a friendly party turned
bad.
Cornelius Taite, 36, had pleaded guilty to abduction with sexual motivation for an Oct. 26 incident in
Rossford.
Taite was one of several co-workers at the Rossford home of the 26-year-old victim playing games and
drinking. The victim said she remembered little of the night, except for finding herself pushed against
a pool table and Taite forcing himself on her.
Four Toledo men were originally indicted for the incident, but the cases were dismissed without prejudice
against the other three.
Taite had initially been indicted for rape and two counts of sexual battery.
The details of what happened that night were confused, Taite’s attorney Ronnie L. Wingate said.
Judge Alan Mayberry in his sentencing statement conceded there were discrepancies, but said the evidence
collected tended to support the victim’s claims.
Prosecuting Attorney Gwen Howe-Gebers read a letter written by the victim’s sister describing the
traumatic effect the incident had on the victim.
Before, the letter said, "she filled everyone’s lives with laughs and smiles."
That joy was taken away, the sister wrote. "Part of her died that night. … Something she’ll never
get back."
Her life has been consumed by fear. She was unable to continue working. That meant she lost her home and
had to move in with her mother.
She is so emotionally paralyzed that she’s unable to go shopping, or even fill her car with gas.
Wingate said that alcohol was a contributing factor to the incidents that night. That had alcohol not
been consumed none of it would have happened.
He argued for community controls, citing Taite’s consistent work record and that he’s married with two
children.
Mayberry discounted alcohol as an excuse and noted that Taite has had previous drug and alcohol
convictions.
He also said that it spoke poorly of Taite’s moral character that "at the drop of the hat" he
could "pull out and put on a condom" during the assault.
Mayberry noted that Taite will have to report for 25 years as a registered sexual offender. The victim
will suffer from the psychological affects of the assault for longer than that.
Taite had apologized in his statement to the victim and to his family.
Mayberry said though he had not shown "genuine remorse."
It was "all alcohol’s fault, all the victim’s fault, not Cornelius Taite’s fault."
"There’s not a whole lot of help the probation department can provide to somebody who claims they
didn’t do anything wrong."
Mayberry held out the possibility if Taite showed real remorse that sentence could be shortened.
He was also sentenced to three years post release controls and court costs.