National News Briefs; Boy, 11, Faces 40 Years In Sexual Assault Case
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An 11-year-old boy was found guilty today of beating and sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl. The boy, whose name was withheld because of his age, could be sentenced to up to 40 years in state custody. The punishment phase of the case began immediately and will be decided by the six-man, six-woman jury that convicted the child after seven hours of deliberations. Should the boy receive the maximum sentence, he would serve time in a juvenile institution before his case is automatically reviewed when he is 18. If that review determines that further incarceration is necessary, the youth would be transferred to an adult institution. Jurors found the fourth grader guilty on two counts of sexual assault and one count of injuring a child in the April 9 attack. He was found not guilty on a third sexual assault charge. The boy testified on Wednesday that he had dropped the toddler down a concrete embankment, struck her and stepped on her, but he denied any sexual contact. He said a 7-year-old boy who was with him attacked the girl in a creekbed and forced her to perform oral sex. The 7-year-old and his 8-year-old brother testified that all three boys beat and sexually assaulted the girl. Under state law, the brothers are too young to face criminal charges. More : query.nytimes.com |