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Accused rapist convicted
Jury says Lankford assaulted underage victim
LANKFORD ON STAND.jpg
Rob Nunley photo Gary Lee Lankford, Jr. testifies in his own defense during the second day of his rape trial Thursday.
Jurors returned a guilty verdict Thursday afternoon in the trial of a local man accuse of raping his underage niece in 2020. Gary Lee Lankford, Jr., 51, was found guilty of one count of rape, with the jury deliberating one hour and 23 minutes before bringing the two-day trial to a close with its verdict.