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LISBON -- The jury trial for a man accused of allegedly sexually assaulting a woman during a domestic in Hanover Township last year is now set for 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14.
John J. Sisson, 44, Racine, appeared with his defense attorney, Chris Amato, during a status hearing Thursday morning before Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Washam.
He's charged with first-degree felony rape, third-degree felony strangulation, and misdemeanor domestic violence for allegedly sexually assaulting the woman by force or threat of force and strangling her during a domestic in Hanover Township on Aug. 10, 2025 when he pulled her from a truck and assaulted her, forcing her to the back seat where he assaulted her again and then grabbed her and dragged her near a shed and assaulted her again.
At the beginning, Washam said he spoke to attorneys from both sides prior to the hearing and learned there's no resolution at this time, but negotiations are continuing in an attempt to achieve a resolution.
The state was represented by county Assistant Prosecutors Steve Yacovone and Jennifer Bonish. Yacovone advised the judge that he spoke to the victim about the change in the status hearing from the afternoon to the morning. She couldn't attend, but he planned to call her after the hearing to advise her what happened.
Amato requested a continuance of the previously-set Nov. 16 jury trial, asking the judge for additional time which Washam granted.
A further status hearing is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 20.
Sisson is out of jail on bond.