Surry man acquitted in sexual contact case
9/24/08 | 8 comments

Surry man acquitted in sexual contact case


By Rich Hewitt
BDN Staff

ELLSWORTH, Maine — A Hancock County jury has acquitted a Surry man on charges of unlawful sexual contact.

The jury found George Gray, 42, not guilty on a felony charge of unlawful sexual contact involving a 6-year-old girl last year and a misdemeanor charge of unlawful sexual touching, after a two-day trial last week in Hancock County Superior Court.

According to the attorneys in the case, Gray was accused of touching the girl while she was staying at his home in December 2007. The girl had been sleeping on the floor of a room when the alleged incident took place.

Defense attorney Andrew Slater said that although investigators did a good job in collecting evidence in the case, that evidence did not prove his client had committed the crime. The evidence showed, he said, that Gray could not have touched the girl in the way the prosecution charged.

“None of the witnesses came across with a story that was believable,” he said.

Slater further claimed the case never should have come to court. It was disturbing, he said, that the girl, who is now 7 years old, had to testify.

“Putting that young lady through the emotional trauma of a trial when the evidence clearly did not warrant it is outrageous,” Slater said. “The state never claims the responsibility for the harm it does to children.”

Hancock County Assistant District Attorney Mary Kellet said Tuesday that this type of case, involving sexual touching, is often difficult for juries, although she declined to speculate on how the testimony might have affected this jury.

“You’re often dealing with the issue of ‘beyond a reasonable doubt,’” Kellet said. “In this type of case, there is no physical evidence to present. It comes down to one person’s word against another’s. It’s not easy for a jury to find a person guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Kellet said her office often decides not to take a case involving a child to trial based on the victim’s credibility and the wishes of the family. In this case, she said, the witness was credible and very consistent in her testimony, and she had no reason not to tell the truth about what happened.

“I am an advocate, not a judge,” she said.

Slater said Gray was pleased with the jury’s decision but was upset over the amount of time it took for the case to come to trial. Gray was on probation for a previous drug conviction when the alleged incident took place, and has been held in jail for 10 months awaiting trial.

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Comments
8 comments on this item
On 9/26/08 at 6:59 AM, pearyb wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Hancock Cty has more of these kinds of cases; this isn't the first time somebody has done time just because the ADA said so. Usually the defendent leaves all beat up. Mary Kellet should be behind bars herself.

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On 10/20/08 at 5:05 PM, royalchic wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I know for a fact that he is a child molester. He has molested so many of us in our family. He is a monster in my eyes. He WILL do this again and again. I can't believe the pervert got off. I know what that little girl is facing as an adult due to him touching her. He has taken so much from me. I know that he will pay for his malicious abuse. I wish the court system had been able to take care of him. Karma has him now and he will get it. I no longer speak to my family since I have my own children. I will never ever let him even see a picture of them. People read these articles in the paper and form an opinion but it does no justice to what a monster he really is. How can a person lay behind an innocent child and fondle them? It seems like you practically have to have the perverts on video to be able to convict. I so wanted him to be convicted and end up in Windham or Charleston. I wanted him to see what it's like to be attacked against your will and feel as helpless as I did over and over again. I don't remember how many times he hurt me but it started at 9 and didn't end till 12 or so. My cousins and I were always told by the adults "Oh kids will be kids". That phrase has haunted me all my life. They are all just as guilty as him. I just wanted you all to know what type of person this @&*%&# really is. He is the true meaning of CHILD MOLESTER. I wish I had of had support when I was younger to do something about him. Maybe if I did he wouldn't have been able to touch this little girl and countless others over the years. I hope if you know George Albert Gray and you have kids please pay attention never leave him alone not even with your dog.

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On 10/20/08 at 5:48 PM, SusanB wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Royalchic I just wanted to say how sorry I am about what this pervert did to you and I'm sure countless others. Children have NO reason to lie about sexual abuse!!!! It disgusts me that these juries just keep letting off skinners and rapists in this county. I am embarrassed that these people are supposed to be my peers and they continually let off disgusting criminals. You are right about Karma, that he will not get away from. Somehow he will get what he deserves.

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On 10/20/08 at 5:58 PM, royalchic wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Thank you so much SusanB so much for taking the time to read my comment and also to respond positively. Your words mean alot to me. I promise to anyone who should come across this that I am going to speak out about him to whoever will listen. I have been speaking about it to my mother for years who by the way doesn't believe me. So to all who have been molested by a family member don't let them get away with it. Even if your family doesn't believe you now a days there are so many resources. Speak out......god bless.....

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On 10/20/08 at 9:29 PM, whitnmeme wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

royalchic, I am so sorry for what you have gone. It just another case to prove he will do it again. It sickens me to think this man is on the streets roaming free. gggrrrr. Thank you so much for your posts.

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On 10/21/08 at 2:21 PM, royalchic wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

I know that from experience it doesn't really matter how much time he would have gotten,I am paying for what he did to me for life. Just like that innocent little girl will. I think that is what's bothering me so much right now is that I know the hell she is going to go through as the years pass. I feel like I should have done something years ago. I wish I had of done something years ago. Nobody believed me. I wish I could be there for her. I really want to go into some type of field of work where I can help little ones where I can sit and cry with them if that's what it takes and just hold them,and educate educate educate. Please people if you live in the Blue Hill area and you know him and everybody does it's a small small town,People even if your family and think that it won't happen PLEASE don't leave him alone with your kids no matter how old they are. Feel free to leave me a comment and ask me any questions. Thank you everyone for your responses.

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On 10/21/08 at 3:28 PM, Harrry wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

royalchic: You are not alone, the vast majority of sexual abuse happens within the family, but when reported by the child, the mother will not protect them, for fear of bringing shame upon the family. This is a fact, and has been verified by every study known to man, but nobody will do anything about it. Even our corrupt Judicial System does nothing, excet to repunish those few who have already been convicted and served their sentence, in violation of our constitutionm. Guess those children who are molested by a family member, are somehow unimportant. Wish you well.

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On 10/22/08 at 8:28 AM, royalchic wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Harrry: Thank you so much for your support and kind words. You are exactly right about mothers not protecting there children. I believe things happen for a reason,and maybe all the horrible things I had to go through was so I would know how to protect my babies beyond anything on this earth. I also think all of this has given me some type of instinct to know when someone isn't right or when they are hiding something. I always had an instinct but this is so strong I can't describe it. So thank you for your kind words that reassured me I am not at fault. If anyone knows of a forum or blog that victims like myself support each other please pass on the information. Thank you

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