The jury in the child-sex abuse trial of millionaire Loomes Wheeler Jr. found him guilty of lesser charges Friday night.
Wheeler had faced nine felony counts of rape and sexual abuse on two girls as young as 5 years old.
After deliberating for nine hours, the jury found Wheeler guilty on three counts of battery, two counts of lewd and lascivious molestation, and two counts of lewd and lascivious conduct.
Wheeler, who showed no emotion as the verdict was delivered, will be sentenced May 22.
Arrested two years ago, the Kissimmee businessman posted $115,000 bail and disappeared after cutting off his GPS monitor.
Sitting in the Osceola County courtroom on Friday, the 71-year-old, clean-shaven grandfather with white hair looked much different from the man with a black beard and dyed hair picked up in April 2014 while hiding in the Bahamas.
"This is a man desperate to get away from the truth," said prosecutor Gabrielle Sanders, holding up a photograph of how he looked when found. "He had no intention of getting caught."
The alleged abuse lasted for years and then remained a secret until 2013 when one of the girls accused Wheeler of molesting her more than 100 times, according to trial testimony this week.
Sigman, called the verdict "inconsistent."
"They either believe the girl or they don't believe the girl. There's either some evidence or there's no evidence. So I'm really not sure just exactly how they arrived at that conclusion," he said.
Sigman said it was too early to decide whether they will appeal the case.
Sanders said the state was satisfied with the jurors' decision, though she personally did not expect it. She declined to say why.
"It was a surprise to me," Sanders said. "But justice was served either way."
hcurtis@orlandosentinel.com; glotan@orlandosentinel.com
No comments:
Post a Comment