Closing arguments ended Tuesday, Oct. 6, in the bench trial of Gary Keesee Jr., who faces 27 charges tied to New Albany's Faith Life Church.

Knox County Common Pleas Court Judge Richard Wetzel is scheduled to announce his verdict at 9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6. Both sides must first submit written closing briefs for his review.

The allegations span from 2002, when Keesee was 13, through 2011, when he was 22. He was indicted in April 2025 on 27 charges. Five counts were dropped during trial after one of four alleged victims became too emotional during testimony and could not complete cross-examination, NBC4 reported.

Three women testified over four days of testimony that Keesee sexually abused them when they were children. All three were members of Faith Life Church, though the alleged abuse did not occur on church property, according to 10TV.

Special prosecutor Jenny Wells of the Licking County Prosecutor's Office told Wetzel the case comes down to whether he believes the women's testimony. Wells was brought in after the case was transferred through several agencies because of conflicts of interest.

Defense attorney Sam Shamansky argued the prosecution lacked physical evidence and that the women fabricated their accounts.

"The evidence is not to be believed," Shamansky said during closing arguments.

The courtroom was packed Tuesday with former Faith Life Church members. Two of the alleged victims were present. One was seen wiping away tears during closing arguments, NBC4 reported.

Keesee's father, Gary Keesee Sr., is the senior pastor at Faith Life Church in New Albany. His mother, Knox County Commissioner Drenda Keesee, also serves as a lead pastor. No public statement from Faith Life Church regarding the trial appears in available records.