Moliere’s rape trial begins Monday in Lyon County District Court

The trial in a rape case in Emporia will take place on Monday.

Antoine Moliere will return to the Lyon District Court on Monday to stand trial. A status hearing will take place on Wednesday. The trial could last until Wednesday.

Prosecutors have filed a motion to allow child witnesses in the case to have an adult companion and comfort items while they testify. They have also filed a separate motion to allow “child-friendly” procedures, such as regular breaks, non-threatening objections being announced when necessary, seating changes and “some latitude” for prosecutors to ask questions “beyond the normal scope of relevance” when questioning child witnesses directly.

Moliere is accused of raping a child aged five or less between February and April 2023. In that case, he is charged with rape, as well as another count of aggravated sexual assault in connection with alleged activities with the same child last December.