Post by WaTcHeR on Jul 24, 2006 10:12:23 GMT -5
Officer Richard Beal
07.24.2006 - BOISE - A former Boise police officer convicted of sexual battery of a minor, was sentenced to ten years in jail for the crime. Richard Beal turned himself into police in August 2005, after being accused of molesting a 17 year old girl while on duty. The girl was sexually molested after a police department ride-a-long with the officer.
During his sentencing, Beal broke down after apologizing to the victim and the police department he left. The victim also made a statement. She said she was upset over the fact that she had to go through two trials and no one believed her until Beal admitted the allegations were true.
During the trial, Detective Shellie Strolberg, who interviewed the victim, testified that the victim waited two months before coming forward, which she says is typical in cases like this. She described the girl as "attention seeking" but says she had no reason to doubt the girl's story. She says the girl is typical of many victims of sexual abuse, including being immature, not well kept, and coming from a single parent home.
Phone records also revealed several phone calls back and forth from Beal and the victim. There were 11 phone calls between the two before the molestation on May 9th, 2005. There were four phone calls after May 9th, including a seven minute call, just minutes after the alleged molestation.
Beal will be eligible for a parole within a year.
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