NewsApril 29, 2011
Cape man acquitted in molestation case
A 51-year-old Cape Girardeau man accused of molesting an underage family member for seven years was acquitted by a Cape Girardeau County jury Thursday of three counts of statutory sodomy. The jury deliberated for two and a half hours before presenting their not-guilty verdict to Circuit Court Judge William L. Syler...
Southeast Missourian
A 51-year-old Cape Girardeau man accused of molesting an underage family member for seven years was acquitted by a Cape Girardeau County jury Thursday of three counts of statutory sodomy.
The jury deliberated for two and a half hours before presenting their not-guilty verdict to Circuit Court Judge William L. Syler.
Daniel Essner's trial began Wednesday and concluded just before noon Thursday. Essner was accused of inappropriate touching a girl from the age of 5 until she was 12 years old. Essner's attorney, Stephen C. Wilson, said his client denied allegations in a one-hour interview with Missouri's Division of Family Services and in a four-hour interview with Cape Girardeau detectives.
"He and the numerous family members, friends and church members who were there with him throughout the trial are very, very happy," Wilson said following the verdict.
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