MONROE - A man accused of multiple sexual assaults of a young girl over the course of more than two years was found not guilty Thursday after nearly two hours of deliberation by a 12-person jury at the Green County Justice Center.
Devan J. Mueller, 35, Monroe, was charged with a Class C felony count of repeated sexual assault of a child and a related Class C felony charge in December. Charges were made after the girl told representatives of the Green County Child Advocacy Center Mueller had abused her between 2012 and 2015.
The trial continued in its second day Thursday with testimony by investigators. The proceeding was meant to last three days but was continued into evening hours Thursday by Judge James Beer. In court, the jury heard compiled evidence from Monroe Police Detective Dan Skatrud and social worker Kimber Blum, who was employed by Green County Human Services when the case began.
Blum and Skatrud identified photos they both said seemed inappropriate due to Mueller being in close proximity to the girl or how he placed his hands in poses.
In discussions with the girl, Blum said the child described events that were identified in line with grooming behavior, or the act of a predator familiarizing a young person with casual touch before later abusing them. Following an initial talk between herself and the girl, Blum said it was unsurprising that the girl gradually shared instances of abuse, calling it "very, very common" among similar victims.
Skatrud said this was what happened with the girl, who had given another interview just three days before the beginning of the trial.
A recorded interview of Mueller by Skatrud and Blum in February 2015 was played for the courtroom. In the video, Skatrud can be heard telling Mueller the girl reported five separate incidents of groping by Mueller with detailed information.
Mueller denied any sort of inappropriate behavior, but said he had once touched the girl's thigh above the knee in a comforting way. Mueller declined to testify twice during the trial Thursday when Beer asked whether he wanted to take the stand.
The first day of the jury trial included opening arguments by Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen and Mueller's lawyer Roger Merry. The girl also testified to the jury, recalling incidents of molestation. Jury members reviewed video of the girl being interviewed by Skatrud.
Merry asked officials and family members about the status of the girl's school performance, noting there had been no change in her grades. He asked the girl's therapist about struggles with depression and anxiety, which the therapist said worsened after the date of the first alleged abuse. Merry called the girl's honesty into question, which Nolen met with a character witness. A 4-H advisor said the girl was known to be trustworthy and honest throughout the community.
Closing argument by Nolen specified the information provided by the girl was the same throughout the investigation, simply added to over a period of time as the girl opened up to interviewers. Merry spoke to the jury and doubled down on his assertion that the girl was simply misleading everyone.
"The child is a liar," Merry said, indicating teenagers thoughtlessly lie to serve their own needs in the moment.
Upon dismissal of the charges, about six family members and friends, including Mueller's wife, Kelli, expressed relief and began embracing. The girl who had accused Mueller was also present in a back corner of the courtroom. Upon hearing the verdict, she began visibly crying.
Devan J. Mueller, 35, Monroe, was charged with a Class C felony count of repeated sexual assault of a child and a related Class C felony charge in December. Charges were made after the girl told representatives of the Green County Child Advocacy Center Mueller had abused her between 2012 and 2015.
The trial continued in its second day Thursday with testimony by investigators. The proceeding was meant to last three days but was continued into evening hours Thursday by Judge James Beer. In court, the jury heard compiled evidence from Monroe Police Detective Dan Skatrud and social worker Kimber Blum, who was employed by Green County Human Services when the case began.
Blum and Skatrud identified photos they both said seemed inappropriate due to Mueller being in close proximity to the girl or how he placed his hands in poses.
In discussions with the girl, Blum said the child described events that were identified in line with grooming behavior, or the act of a predator familiarizing a young person with casual touch before later abusing them. Following an initial talk between herself and the girl, Blum said it was unsurprising that the girl gradually shared instances of abuse, calling it "very, very common" among similar victims.
Skatrud said this was what happened with the girl, who had given another interview just three days before the beginning of the trial.
A recorded interview of Mueller by Skatrud and Blum in February 2015 was played for the courtroom. In the video, Skatrud can be heard telling Mueller the girl reported five separate incidents of groping by Mueller with detailed information.
Mueller denied any sort of inappropriate behavior, but said he had once touched the girl's thigh above the knee in a comforting way. Mueller declined to testify twice during the trial Thursday when Beer asked whether he wanted to take the stand.
The first day of the jury trial included opening arguments by Green County District Attorney Craig Nolen and Mueller's lawyer Roger Merry. The girl also testified to the jury, recalling incidents of molestation. Jury members reviewed video of the girl being interviewed by Skatrud.
Merry asked officials and family members about the status of the girl's school performance, noting there had been no change in her grades. He asked the girl's therapist about struggles with depression and anxiety, which the therapist said worsened after the date of the first alleged abuse. Merry called the girl's honesty into question, which Nolen met with a character witness. A 4-H advisor said the girl was known to be trustworthy and honest throughout the community.
Closing argument by Nolen specified the information provided by the girl was the same throughout the investigation, simply added to over a period of time as the girl opened up to interviewers. Merry spoke to the jury and doubled down on his assertion that the girl was simply misleading everyone.
"The child is a liar," Merry said, indicating teenagers thoughtlessly lie to serve their own needs in the moment.
Upon dismissal of the charges, about six family members and friends, including Mueller's wife, Kelli, expressed relief and began embracing. The girl who had accused Mueller was also present in a back corner of the courtroom. Upon hearing the verdict, she began visibly crying.