By By NORMA LERNER / Dowagiac Daily News
CASSOPOLIS – A jury of five men and seven women found a Marcellus man guilty of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct on Thursday after a three-day trial.
The jury deliberated more than two hours to find Joshua Williams guilty of sexually assaulting a 3-year-old girl who was in his care while he babysat for her on Jan. 20, 2000.
Chief Assistant Prosecutor Jason Ronning in closing remarks said the child, now 10, was 3 years old at the time.
The incident happened in Porter Township while Williams babysat the girl as a friend of the family while the mother worked a night shift.
The case had never been closed and was re-investigated by the Cass County Prosecutor's Office and Michigan State Police after another witness came forward to say she had been molested by the same person.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz then authorized charges.
Williams was arrested Oct. 11, 2006, and is now 24. His address was listed as 194 Jones St., Marcellus.
Ronning said on Friday, "We are happy that the defendant will pay for what he did to the little girl. The family is pleased. We are looking forward to sentencing day."
In closing remarks, Ronning reminded the jury of testimony they heard that the little girl was found with bruises to her eyes, face, neck, back of her neck, chin and vaginal area and other parts of her body plus a cigarette burn on her buttocks.
After discussion with relatives, the mother took her to a hospital where the child was examined, he said.
She was placed in protective custody after the incident.
Ronning said Williams claimed he was molested when he was 14 years old and had been burned with a cigarette.
"Three years later he molested her, burned her with a cigarette. He knows." He said Williams was haunted by it.
Ronning said the child in 2000 said that "Josh" hurt her.
The prosecution brought 11 witnesses to the stand, including two doctors, a nurse, a state police detective and others, including the victim.
Defense lawyer Victor Bland of Kalamazoo in closing arguments said there is no DNA that links Williams to the crime, no hair sample, nothing.
The girl says there was no sexual abuse that happened. He told jurors they can only speculate as the reason might have been her age. He said the child doesn't remember what happened.
Possibly there were two incidents. "Possibly the child was abused by someone else, possibly in Indiana."
Bland also indicated that maybe the mom, a single mom, "lost it and assaulted this child."
He also questioned why the child's father who came to the house after the incident was unemotional about it.
Bland told the jury if they had the same questions and were not sure, not to approve.
"I say you must acquit Joshua Williams."
Wiliams is scheduled for sentencing at 9 a.m. April 27. He faces life or any term of years.
Greg Ferrier's trial was adjourned to May 22.