SEX ABUSE VERDICT: INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN SOBER

Last October, a 38 year old Moline man walked a few blocks home from a tavern, walked through his house and into a bedroom where his daughter and her 11 year old friend were sleeping in separate beds.  The man took off his clothes, got into bed with the 11 year old and put his hand up her shirt, touching her breasts and slept there all night.  Two weeks later the girl told her mother that she had been sexually molested and the police were called.  The man was arrested and charged with aggravated criminal sexual abuse.  He was found innocent on January 10th because he was drunk at the time he committed the crime.  According to Illinois law, an intoxicated person is responsible for conduct unless such condition is so extreme as to suspend the power of reason and render him incapable of forming a specific intent, which is an element of the offense.  The girl's parents are so outraged by what happened to their daughter that they have become different people, angry, frustrated advocates.  They are not taking it sitting down.  Since the hearing earlier this month, the couple has visited with state legislators, made countless phone calls and met with State's Attorney Marshall Douglas.  They have found no satisfaction.  Douglas said, The parents are saying there is a loophole in the law that needs to be plugged, to the extent they are working to do that, I applaud them.

(Illinois)