Post by Critique on Feb 5, 2007 12:06:03 GMT -5
Feb 4, 2007
Sean O'Flaherty
MILWAUKEE – A jury on Saturday found former police officer Steven Lelinski guilty of sex crimes. Lelinski was accused of meeting women while working as an officer, then forcing them into sexual acts.
After a week-long trial and two days of deliberations the jury found Lelinski guilty on three counts and not guilty on two other charges.
Lelinski was found guilty of second-degree sexual assault, attempted second-degree sexual assault and fourth-degree sexual assault.
The jury found him not guilty on two other counts of third-degree sexual assault.
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Prosecutor Miriam Falk said the verdict sends a strong message. “When people have power and authority they have to act with integrity.”
Lelinski’s lawyer, Steven Kohn, called it a difficult case, “It was difficult because of the number of victims, the number of people who testified against Mr. Lelinski and we knew that going in.”
Lelinski wanted to stay out of jail until sentencing, but Judge Jeff Wagner said no. Lelinski was then handcuffed and taken to jail.
He faces more than 61 years in prison when he is sentenced in March.
One of the accusers took the stand early in the trial and provided a graphic description of what happened when Lelinski unexpectedly showed up to her apartment.
She said Lelinski went to her apartment, exposed himself, fondled her and tried to have sex with her.
When she pulled away, she said he pleased himself in front of her and her 18-month-old daughter, and then he got up and left.
"He let go of my hair, stood up, put his private parts away, he buttoned his pants then he threw $20 on the floor while I was picking up my daughter from crying," the accuser stated.
The prosecution also presented several other women who testified that Lelinski attacked them in a similar fashion.
The defense argued the women were making up their stories to go to court and make money.
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