By Ken Graham
The Times
Helgerson 'Not Guilty' of Child Assault
Friday jury verdict comes after two-week trial in Dayton
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DAYTON – Levi Helgerson, of Dayton, was found not guilty of Assault of a Child late Friday afternoon. The unanimous jury verdict came after a two-week trial in Columbia County Superior Court, before judge Scott Galina.
According to Columbia County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Dale Slack, the defense rested their case Friday morning. Each attorney – Rea Culwell for the prosecution and Robert Van Dorn for the Defense – then gave a 45-minute closing statement.
Slack said the jury began deliberations at about 3 p.m. Friday and came back with their verdict shortly after 4:30 p.m.
Slack said that the jury could have convicted Helgerson of child assault in the first, second, third or fourth degree. The first three options would have been felonies, and the fourth, a gross misdemeanor.
Helgerson was arrested in February 2014 on charges relating to injuries suffered by a young child who had been in his care in late 2013. He was later released pending trial.
The trial began with jury selection on November 2 and 3. Culwell began presenting her case the afternoon of the 3rd, and rested her case November 9. Van Dorn presented the case for the defense beginning that afternoon and continued through Friday, except for Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11.
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