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Pocono News Section
Hung Jury in Lackawanna County Sex Assault Trial
Hung Jury in Lackawanna County Sex Assault Trial - Friday, April 9, 2010 at 04:06AM EST
Reported by: Eric Deabill
Friday April 09 2010
5.0000/ 5 rating
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY - There was a surprise decision in a Lackawanna County sex crimes trial Friday afternoon.
After three days of testimony and deliberations, jurors were not able to reach a verdict in the trial of Steven Guzzi.
Guzzi was accused of sexually assaulting a young girl for more than three years. The victim took the stand during the trial and said she was abused nearly every week. Guzzi also took the stand. He denied the allegations.
In the end, jurors deliberated for more than five hours before telling the judge they were deadlocked.
For relatives of the young victim, the jury's indecision was disheartening.
"I want the truth to be out there. I want everyone to know that the innocence of a child was taken away and where's the justice of that," Joyce Harty said.
Prosecutors say the sexual abuse took place at Guzzi's home in the Kearney Trailer Park in Madison Township.
Despite her pain, Harty says the young victim is ready to testify again.
"Not only did she lose her childhood but now she's gotta go through this again and have her heart torn out all over again," Harty said.
As they left, jurors said they were hopelessly deadlocked but the majority of jurors were leaning towards finding Guzzi "not guilty."
"I am definately surprised by that. The evidence was clearly overwhelming," Deputy District Attorney MaryAnn Grippo said. "We remain confident in the strength of our case. The strength of our evidence and the credibility of our victim."
Defense attorney Paul Walker says there was no physical evidence in the case and that may have played a role in the hung jury.
"It is a testiment to our system that people are thoughtful and put every effort they can into reaching a verdict," Walker said. "Obviously, reasonable minds differ and that's why we have juries."
But the jury's lack of a decision isn't sitting well with relatives of the victim.
"How do you find the way to bring peace and innocence back to a child when it's already been taken away and she's re-living that everyday that she has to go through this," Harty said.
Guzzi remains free on bail. There is no word on when his case will be re-tried. | | |
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