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Judge overturns jury's conviction on child sexual abuse Save Email Print
Posted: 7:29 AM Apr 15, 2008
Last Updated: 7:29 AM Apr 15, 2008

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FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) -- A judge overturned the conviction of a Tennessee man on charges of sexually abusing his stepdaughter, saying he couldn't sleep if he allowed an innocent man go to jail.

A jury convicted Malcolm Dudley Thomas on Saturday, but after the jury left, Williamson County Circuit Court Judge R.E. Lee Davies said the stepdaughter was not credible and overturned the jury's decision.

The 50-year-old man was acquitted on one charge of aggravated sexual battery of a child who is 13. Davies granted him a new trial on a second charge of aggravated sexual battery.

Davies recommended the state prosecutors re-evaluate the case, which the judge said didn't include an interview with the defendant or the victim's mother.

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Information from: The Tennessean, http://www.tennessean.com

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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Posted by: Laura Fritts Location: Crossville, TN on Apr 15, 2008 at 11:36 AM
I commend the judge in the case of the man convicted of child sexual abuse. Children are very capable of lying and desiring to get back at parents for who knows why. Child abuse is horrible but kids are devising new ways of getting attention. The prosecution needs to do its job and at least follow elemental due diligence in interviewing all involved.