Jury Deliberations Begin In Ex-Ice Cream Shop Owner's Molestation Trial
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The jury began deliberations Wednesday in the trial of a former North Hills ice cream shop owner who is accused of molesting two young girls.
The jury began deliberating around noon Wednesday after getting through two full days of testimony.
They must determine if 62-year-old David Higginbotham is guilty or innocent of sexually assaulting the two young girls, who were family friends, five years ago at his home.
The former owner of Handel's Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt in McCandless is accused of assaulting the sisters when they were ages 7 and 8.
Higginbotham faces of list of charges including multiple counts of corruption of minors, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and aggravated indecent assault.
During two days of testimony, the jury heard from the two girls who are now 12- and 13-years-old. They gave detailed descriptions of the incidents at or around Higginbotham's swimming pool and home.
They told police the incidents started back in 2008.
Police say Higginbotham's daughter-in-law was their nanny and sometimes brought the girls to his house. He was arrested and charged in November of last year.
Higginbotham also took the stand in his own defense and told jury he did not do what the girls, who did visit often, are accusing him of. It's a position he has maintained since his arrest.
Two hours into deliberations, the jury did have a question, but the judge did not reveal what that question was related to. They were dismissed around 4 p.m.
Deliberations will resume Thursday at 9 a.m.
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