PITTSFIELD -- The jury in the sexual abuse trial of a 72-year-old North Dartmouth man reported to the court late Monday afternoon that they were "stuck" on five of the seven charges against him. Their deliberations began Monday morning.
Judge John A. Agostini sent a note back telling the jury to continue deliberating. Agostini said in court that if the jury does deadlock, a new trial would be called. A second trial would be in front of a different set of jurors.
Richard St. Louis is accused of inappropriate sexual contact with a 24-year-old woman who, according to prosecutors, has the problem-solving skills of a 4-year-old. The alleged abuse occurred between Jan. 1, 2008, and Sept. 16, 2011, in Hancock, where St. Louis would go to hunt.
St. Louis, who took the stand in his own defense on Friday, adamantly denied that anything happened and said the woman was "like a granddaughter" to him. He is facing five counts of indecent assault and battery on a person with intellectual disabilities, indecent exposure and accosting a person of the opposite sex. The jury will continue deliberations today.
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