by Ashton Goodell
Monday, February 8, 2010
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A judge granted a mistrial Monday morning for a man accused of repeatedly molesting a teenage girl, often in his mother's trailer, court documents allege.
Dana Thompson is charged with 63 counts, including sexual abuse of a minor and possession of child pornography. He has admitted to having sex with the 14-year-old girl, saying that she did so willingly as part of their relationship together.
But prosecutors have argued that he conditioned the girl to think it was normal to have sex with an older man and that he was in a position of authority over her.
Judge Michael Spaan granted the defense's motion for mistrial Monday.
Thompson's attorney argued that the prosecution didn't preview the court evidence involving child pornography before presenting it in its opening arguments.
