Hung jury in child molestation case
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Times Argus Staff
Times Argus Staff
Times Argus Staff - Published: January 8, 2010
BARRE – Jurors could not agree Tuesday whether a Roxbury man was guilty or innocent of molesting a young female relative last year, resulting in a hung jury.
Brian Hedding, 39, was on trial this week in Vermont District Court in Barre for lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, a felony that carries a minimum two-year sentence and maximum of 15 years. Hedding was accused of touching the child's genitals while she slept last February.
Hedding testified that he was sleeping next to the child and when he woke up, he was horrified at what he was doing, his attorney said. The prosecutor who tried the case said Hedding's intent was the hardest element to prove.
As a result of the hung jury, the case is still pending and could go before a different group of jurors.
Washington County State's Attorney Tom Kelly acknowledged he could drop the charge but said he doesn't plan to.
"We have no intention at this point to dismiss anything," he said. "It's still a pending case."
A status conference is scheduled for Tuesday.
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