Post by WaTcHeR on Sept 21, 2006 9:22:12 GMT -5
09.21.2006 - EDGEWOOD - A local police officer has been acquitted on charges he raped a minor.
Now, he's trying to get back his life and his job.
Officer Frederick Livingston heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the words "not guilty."
He was charged with seven counts of sex with a minor, a child who happened to be a relative.
Livingston calls the verdict not only vindication, but then end of an 18-month nightmare.
"I was speechless," said Livingston. "I was crying. I just wanted to get up and grab my mom."
Edgewood police officer Frederick Livingston had just been found not guilty on seven counts of sexual assault, including rape and corruption of a minor.
The alleged victim was a female relative who told the jury that Livingston had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions between the ages of ten and fourteen.
"I knew I was innocent," said Livingston. "I knew I was completely innocent. I've never harmed anyone but at the same time sitting there, you just don't know."
What we do know about Officer Livingston is on the record.
He was citizen of the year in Edgewood in 2001 and 2003.
He was certified as an investigator of sex crimes against children and he was honored by D.A. Steve Zappala for his work with school children.
But last August his world fell apart with a phone call.
Livingston was told he had had been charged with multiple counts of sexually assaulting a minor and he had 48 hours to turn himself in.
Conviction on all counts could have brought life in prison.
"My life has been a nightmare for the past year and a half," said Livingston.
After two days of testimony during which the alleged victim could not remember the dates and times of the assaults, the prosecution's case began to unravel.
"I have seen weak cases," said Defense Attorney Michael DeRiso. "This was a very weak case. An alleged victim who couldn't tell the same story twice."
Livingston hopes to back back on the job soon.
"I expect to go back to work," he said. "I want to go back to work. I don't anticipate any problems going back to work."
Livingston hopes to return to work on the Edgewood Police Department.
But that might be problematic.
The man who makes that call is the borough manager who testified for the prosecution.
kdka.com/topstories/local_story_263235018.html
Now, he's trying to get back his life and his job.
Officer Frederick Livingston heaved a sigh of relief when he heard the words "not guilty."
He was charged with seven counts of sex with a minor, a child who happened to be a relative.
Livingston calls the verdict not only vindication, but then end of an 18-month nightmare.
"I was speechless," said Livingston. "I was crying. I just wanted to get up and grab my mom."
Edgewood police officer Frederick Livingston had just been found not guilty on seven counts of sexual assault, including rape and corruption of a minor.
The alleged victim was a female relative who told the jury that Livingston had sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions between the ages of ten and fourteen.
"I knew I was innocent," said Livingston. "I knew I was completely innocent. I've never harmed anyone but at the same time sitting there, you just don't know."
What we do know about Officer Livingston is on the record.
He was citizen of the year in Edgewood in 2001 and 2003.
He was certified as an investigator of sex crimes against children and he was honored by D.A. Steve Zappala for his work with school children.
But last August his world fell apart with a phone call.
Livingston was told he had had been charged with multiple counts of sexually assaulting a minor and he had 48 hours to turn himself in.
Conviction on all counts could have brought life in prison.
"My life has been a nightmare for the past year and a half," said Livingston.
After two days of testimony during which the alleged victim could not remember the dates and times of the assaults, the prosecution's case began to unravel.
"I have seen weak cases," said Defense Attorney Michael DeRiso. "This was a very weak case. An alleged victim who couldn't tell the same story twice."
Livingston hopes to back back on the job soon.
"I expect to go back to work," he said. "I want to go back to work. I don't anticipate any problems going back to work."
Livingston hopes to return to work on the Edgewood Police Department.
But that might be problematic.
The man who makes that call is the borough manager who testified for the prosecution.
kdka.com/topstories/local_story_263235018.html