[MarMema]

Dr. Ann Botash, a child sexual abuse expert called in to assist the medical examiner. Botash based her conclusion that Valerie was sexually assaulted on a limited physical examination and failed to consider any history or medical records, Moynihan said. He also argued the scant physical evidence doctors found was inconclusive. Moynihan noted that Valerie did not suffer any external physical injuries to her vaginal or anal areas, only tiny broken blood vessels that could have been caused in a number of other ways. Botash and Medical Examiner Dr. Mary Jumbelic testified that Valerie had several small bruises on her arms, legs, stomach and buttocks. But Moynihan suggested "these are the type of normal injuries that might be suffered by any 11-year-old girl, especially one who horseplays with four younger brothers." He also reminded jurors there was no semen or other DNA evidence indicating the girl had been raped.

Personally this begins to look more like a witchhunt.

[quack]

What if a condom were used?That could lead to no semen.

[Our man in washington]

Good find. Thanks.

According to an article in the Democrat and Chronicle at http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/1016IE23A4N_rape_news.shtml this man was a Christian who homeschooled all his kids. His pastor is supporting him.

None of that proves he's innocent, of course. But let's face it: certain elements of our society love to demonize Christians and homeschoolers.

Also, when we find people doing really sleazy crimes, we usually (but not always) find some long-term patterns. In this guy's case, he seemed to be a pretty normal guy with a successful business and a healthy social life. I'm fully aware people like that can secretly commit horrible crimes, but it's not the normal profile.

[Littlejon]

Sorry! Didn't see your post before I posted mine. I guess that's the problem with having so many people post at once.

This sounds like a guy who 1)knew how to cover his tracks pretty well or 2) a pi$$ poor M.E. or 3) a combination of the two.

Regardless, the jury still convicted him and the judge seemed convinced he was guilty as well. Thought I am leery of some "experts", the fact he confessed tells me he did something he felt guilty for. You could never convince me to confess to a crime against my child if I didn't do it.

Not even if you made me wear my underwear on my head or had some butch looking gal ridicule my manhood! :)

[Little Ray]

Thanks for posting this.

Hate to say it, but with no semen or DNA evidence, I couldn't vote to convict. The confession is disgusting, but the manner in which it was obtained is just too iffie.

[cyncooper]

A witchhunt? From the article you linked above:

According to the prosecution and the Syracuse Police Department, in his written confession, Lucie described in great detail raping and sodomizing his daughter.

I do not believe for one second that the police would be able to intimidate a written confession out of him. He freely recanted (a lie, I am sure) when it came time to videotape the confession.

And before citing the "threats to take away his children", note it says he described in great detail what he had done.

Unspeakable.

[CSM]

Great update, thanks for answering that question for me. It does seem to be getting down to a vengeful jury......