Jury Selection Begins In Cop Sex Trial
PHILADELPHIA-- Jury selection is underway in the trial of a former Philadelphia police officer charged with sexually assaulting a young girl for years, beginning when she was just 12 years old.
The 51-year-old defendant, Tryone Wiggins, denies the allegations.
During an earlier hearing, the woman, now in her mid-20's, testfiied that she first met Wiggins when she was ten years old. He was her karate instructor at the Olney Rec center. She said he befriended her family and within two years started having sex with her in various places: his van, her house, his house, a hotel and at the rec center.
She testified that he warned her not to tell anyone because he would lose his job and go to jail. She said he threatened to hurt her and so she did not come forward until she was an adult.
The defense has challenged her credibility, claiming she has some ulterior motive. Wiggins says he never had sex with her or even touched her improperly.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060.
