New trial denied for Piedmont man in rape of 4 year old

Raleigh Steven Rowan

Calhoun County Circuit judge Debra Jones Wednesday denied a new trial for a Piedmont man convicted of kidnapping, raping and sexually abusing a 4-year-old girl last year.  Attorneys for 29 year old Raleigh Steven Rowan, had asked for a new trial, citing what they said were several legal, missteps by the court during Rowan’s April trial.  Jones on April 21 sentenced Rowan to three life terms without the possibility of parole for two counts of first-degree sodomy and one count of first-degree rape. Jones also sentenced Rowan to 99 years for kidnapping the girl and 20 years for sexual abuse of a child younger than 12.  Rowan admitted to sexually abusing the girl, and told the court during his trial that he abducted the victim from her Piedmont home on Feb. 5, 2013.  Among the defense’s complaints was that Rowan was not allowed by the court to plead not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, or to present expert testimony about any mental health problems he may have had when the crimes occurred.  After Jones denied him a new trial Wednesday, Rowan’s attorneys appealed his conviction.