HARRISBURG, PA -  The Pennsylvania Superior Court issued a decision on January 6th denying the appeal of Edgar John Willits, Jr., 64, formerly of Mill Hall, relating to his convictions for Rape of a Child, Aggravated Indecent Assault of a Child, Sexual Assault, Indecent Assault of a Child and Corruption of Minors.  

In his appeal, Willits claimed that Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse had made improper statements to the jury during his closing arguments of the August 12, 2021 trial.  Strouse had told the jury that Willits' defense theory was that the 9-year-old girl was a liar, and in order to find Willits not guilty, the jury would have to believe that the little girl was a liar.  Strouse also emphasized to the jury just how sophisticated that little girl would need to be to be able to orchestrate the entire story, and reminded the jury that she vividly remembered the smells in the air and the sounds she heard while Willits attacked her. 

In denying the appeal, the Superior Court found no issue with Strouse's statements to the jury and described them as appropriate and "consistent with the caselaw of our Commonwealth."  

In January of 2022, Judge Michael F. Salisbury sentenced Willits to a total term of 47 years in a State Correctional Institution for the charges .  Willits was convicted following a one-day jury trial.  Willits sexually assaulted a 9-year-old girl inside of his apartment in August of 2016.  

Willits is considered parole eligible after serving 21 years and 4 months of his sentence, and will be a lifetime Megan's Law Registrant.

Willits had been originally charged by Lock Haven City Police Detective Rich Simpson, who also conducted the investigation and also testified at trial.