The trial of former WEWS sports anchor Terry Brooks began today in Cleveland.  Brooks appeared in court to face charges of rape and kidnapping  brought against him by a 22-year-old college student.

Brooks is accused of bringing the young woman back to his house after the two had drinks at a local bar and repeatedly raping her.  The incident occurred in September of 2009.

WEWS placed Brooks on a leave of absence in August after a grand jury indicted him on rape and kidnapping charges.  At the time, Brooks denied the charges, saying emphatically, “I am innocent.”

Brooks, a graduate of the University of Chattanooga, joined WEWS in 2007 after stops at WLTX in Columbia, SC and News14 Carolina in Raleigh, NC.

WEWS, a Scripps-owned ABC-affiliate, covered the trial today with Ron Regan reporting.