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 George Foote |
Greene Circuit Judge Erik Allen set a sentencing hearing for 1:30 p.m. on Sept. 30.
George A. Foote, Jr., 37, of rural Sullivan County, was found guilty of two counts of child molesting -- both class A felonies and was declared guilty of one count of incest -- a class B felony; and one count of incest -- a class C felony.
Foote faces between 48 and 128 years in prison -- plus a fine up to $40,000 -- based on presumptive sentencing guidelines.
He was ordered into the custody of the Greene County Sheriff's Department and is being held without bond.
This is the second time Foote had faced a jury.
A mistrial was declared in April when a problem arose with a juror prior to testimony on the fourth day of the trial.
The second trial started on Monday with a selection of a jury from Knox County in Vincennes. The jurors were transported to Bloomfield for testimony and deliberation for the next four days.
Actual testimony ended on Thursday afternoon.
The six-man, six woman, jury returned to Greene County on Friday morning for closing arguments and began deliberations at 11 a.m.
A verdict was handed down at 11:50 a.m.
Foote was arrested in October 2007 following an investigation by the Greene County Prosecutor's Office and the Greene County of the Indiana Department of Child Services that started on March 13, 2007.
On that day, one of the two female teen victims went to a guidance counselor at Bloomfield Junior-Senior High School and said she and her sister had been molested multiple times by Foote over the last four years.
Both girls testified in court this week that Foote repeatedly molested each of them dating back about to at least 2004.
The girls -- now 17 and 16 -- took the witness stand twice this week and told the jury that Foote had sexually molested both of them in a variety of ways.
Both girls have since changed their names and are living with foster parents outside of Greene County.
In his closing argument, Greene County Prosecutor Jarrod Holtsclaw said the older of the two victims revealed 'the secret' to school officials because she was afraid of becoming pregnant and because she was tired of the abuse.
She was 13 when the alleged molestations began -- four years prior.
Holtsclaw said Foote had threatened her not to tell anyone and he added, "She was clearly afraid of her father."
Her younger sister was 12 years old when the alleged molestations started and like her sister, she also feared retaliation from Foote if she told anyone.
Holtsclaw reminded the jurors that an Indiana State Police DNA analyst Julie Mauer had testified that Foote's DNA could not statistically be excluded from the "front crotch" area of a pair of underpants that were worn by the older of the two girls on the night of March 12, 2007 -- the day before she informed school, Department of Child Services (DCS) and law enforcement officials about the abuse.
The prosecutor also said a pubic hair sample and a tissue found in a van where the last molestation act against the older victim is alleged to have occurred also contained mixture amounts of DNA with the girl as the major donor and Foote's DNA profile as the minor donor.
In his closing remarks, defense attorney Jim Reister attacked the reliability of DNA results because there are so many variables -- especially when another family member has been implicated.
"It (DNA) must be used with understanding and properly applied," he stated.
Reister added, "It is not a magic bullet that you don't have to think about...it is not unusual for your DNA to be everywhere."
Speaking of the DNA profiles that were extracted from the victim's underwear, the said, "What was that clothing before...you saw that house (mobile home), clothes were everywhere."
Reister also told the jury, "If you find a family member's DNA on a hair, it doesn't tell you anything...if you apply the science of the DNA and the science of the serology, they tell you nothing."
The defense attorney noted that the prosecution has not proven by the evidence presented that the victims stories happened the way they said they did.
"Things didn't happen the way you heard them here in the courtroom," he charged. "It's a creditability issue. Who do you believe?"
Reister concluded by saying, "The question is has there been sufficient evidence and has it been strong enough to overcome the presumption of innocence."
In his closing rebuttal statement, prosecutor Holtsclaw stressed the location of where the DNA evidence was found (on the victim's underwear, on the victim's pubic hair and in a tissue found in the back of a van where a sexual attack is alleged to have occurred) is important.
Holtsclaw also took issue to Reister's statement in his closing that the state (the prosecutor) and Child Protective Services had caused the two teen girls to go through the humiliation of a sexual assault medical examination.
The prosecutor turned around and pointed to Foote, seated next to his attorney, and sternly said, "That guy right there is responsible for what those girls had to go through."
He continued in remarks to the jury, "I think it's clear the girls came in here and told you the truth about what they had suffered...think about the embarrassment they have had to endure. It's clear to me that this defendant has taken away their childhood, but the harm that he's done will go on."
Satanic worshipers?
Me thinks someone is a little off balance.
I myself didn't have as much courage as these girls. I commend them for overcoming and speaking out...When you're right in the middle of the situation, it is very overwhelming. Something you could never know unless you've been there. I just moved thinking that it would all go away. Mentally, it hasn't. That is one thing they won't have to live with b/c they faced it now rather than not at all. Shoulda, coulda, woulda, if I hadn't been so afraid for my life. I trust in God that he will prevail in handling the matter, just as he did for these girls. When you've been violated, you lose a sense of yourself. You wonder what you could've done differently to prevent it. You turn on yourself. It's a very degrading, despicable feeling. It changes your perspective on society. It took a VERY long time to realize that not everyone is dangerous, scandalous, or deviant. Enduring these unfortunate circumstances, over time, you gain much strength. WE SHALL NOT BE COMROMISED EVER AGAIN! EMPOWER ONESELF! YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE! People are going to speculate, that's just the way life is. What TRULY matters is that you know in your heart, the truth, as does God. You are NOT alone.
I can't believe that you would even believe for one minute that this man was innocent. If you would believe that, instead of calling all of us satanic worshipers, maybe you should realize you must be the one on that track! GET A LIFE!
APRYLB I REALIZE THAT YOU ARE LOVING THIS ATTENTION AND IT'S DUE TO THIS FACT THAT I FEEL YOU SHOULD BE CHECKED IN TO A PLACE WHERE THEY CAN HELP YOU.YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY TIED TO THIS CASE IN A SICK WAY OR YOU WOULDNT DEFEND HIM SO. NO DEFENCE NECESSARY HE'S ''OUTTA HERE''.
abrylb--I served as a member of this jury. We listened to all the testimony. George Foote lied on the stand--his wife lied on the stand, his mother lied on the stand. The DNA evidence could not lie
aprylb:
I am a social work specialist (yes I have a college degree to prove it) and I will tell you that it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to bring such charges up against someone without crucial evidence that could possibly lead to a conviction. They don't just take the word of teenagers because we all know how vindictive teenagers can be. At the same time, we know how identity is everything when you're a teenager so why would these two young girls lie about such a thing and risk ruining their young teenage lives? How would the DNA come about with their "lies"? They risked everything to seek justice. I hope that you don't have children. If your daughter/son approached you and told you that they had been molested... would you even believe them? Let's add a twist to this story since you think George is such an exceptional citizen... what if your child told you that he molested him/her? Would you still stand by his (George's) side or believe your child? I know for a fact that if my child accused ANYONE of doing such an act to her, regardless of who it was, I would never call her a liar and would believe EVERYTHING she had to say! It's ignorant people such as yourself that make it so that people who have been abused are too ashamed and or scared to come forward because they're afraid that nobody will believe them. There's good in everyone... I believe that, there's just more evil in some people and well, I hate to break it to you... there's more evil than good in this man and the only thing about this story that I can smile about is knowing that there's a special place in hell for these type of people!
I'M NOT with you George, you are the worst of the worst. you should be tortured in the same way. the only thing is, they have to live with it for the rest of their lives which is much longer than yours and they will have trust and relationship issues. THANKS!!!!! you are the lowest type of person. Wait until your judgement day, the real one from God!!!!! lets all find out what prison he is going to and make sure the other inmates find out why he is there. They will take care of him!!!!
you people are so decieved and so easily fooled!! aren't you aware of the THOUSANDS of innocent people that are in prison based on probable cause....NOT proven guilt? it supposed to be innocent till PROVEN guilty....and he WASN'T PROVEN guilty!! Innocence does not have to be proven, guilt does. Beyond the prosecutions argument, i firmly believe the Jury stopped listening and closed their minds and hearts to the truth. This verdict was based soley on the 2 girls testimony and nothing more. Till my dying day and with my very last breath i will never cease to see justice done for george in that he WAS wrongfully convicted. PERIOD!
To All who think this man is innocent. Go live with me & let him do it to YOU. Don't down the girls for wanting their lives back!!!! Which they will never truelly have because of there father & people like you. May god bless these girls.
ANY one who believes this man did not commit the horrbile offense that he was found guilty of has some serious problems and proably needs to get some counseling. pronto!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ive said it before and now I'll say it again.When George gets through D.O.C. and reaches his destination no matter where, he will experience at the very least some of the terror that he inflicted.Men with short eye's end up with Kool Aid lipstick and wear there boxers backwards after the first few day's.
aprylb: it's been proven time and time again that deleting items off a message board is not inhibiting freedom of speech. you are more than welcome to put up your own pro-Foote message board.
I was a member of the jury for this case. The testimony and evidence was convincing and we decided almost immediately during jury deliberations that Mr. Foote was quilty on all four counts. There was no doubt in any of our minds with all of the evidence presented that he most likely molested his girls beginning when they were very small. I am so glad he and his wife no longer have custody of these children.
God is certainly with you george. do not lose your faith....God will deliver you. we are all here for you too.
anyone notice that anything posted in the mans defense is deleted and daily world bans them from the site? yet everyone that condemns the man is all the more welcome. i wonder why that is you satanic worshipers!!
do teens lie about such things? THEY DO DO IT AND THEY ARE REALLY GOOD AT FOOLING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!
GOES BOTH WAYS. oh, and i'll be plastering the daily world all over the news for inhibiting my rights to freedom of speech. keep your eyes open....its coming!
These girls are to be commended for coming forward. The pain and suffering they endured is sickening. Hopefully their so called father will suffer a very long time in prison. He is a very sick individual and has hurt the most important things in his life. His children. As for the mother shame on her for letting this to continue to happen. You too are to blame for what your children had to endure. That is why we have a justice system. No one should be afraid to go to the police and report such incidents. This should have been stopped in 2004! I pray that these children continue to grow and prosper with thier new families. And God Bless those people who cared enough to take these kids in. Mr. Foote you are a very sick individaul and I pray you spend the rest of your life in a very tiny cell in prison. You are a disgrace to society.
Good bye, loser!
sometimes these things can really mess up on how these girls will be affected for the rest of their lives and no one will ever know. i actually know someone who was molested by their father, and the first time it happened, her mother never really believed her, but kicked him out anyway, then later let him come back. not long after, same accusations. and yet, ever since then, he's been in and out of jail for similar circumstances, even tho everyone thought he didn't do it, because that was his own flesh and blood. i feel for these girls, and they really need some stability to help them hopefully get back on track if it is even possible. if ur gonna pray for anyone, pray for them. not the person who was accused and as is sayd in the article, convicted. what comes around, will go around.
the guy is a pervert, he ought to have his testicles removed and shoved up his rectum!! You are a sick, sick man.
The only people that know what really happened are the three that were involved. i can't believe the number of people that come on here and other news websites to vilify anyone involved in a crime. I just hope all those affected can get past it to some degree. I hope both Mr. Foote and these girls get the help they need. I wouldn't wish the horrible things he did on anyone, not even him.
ann...I think it is pretty sad that you feel you must be so cruel...havent these girls been through enough without being accused of lying about it...I say we should all be very proud of them it takes a strong person to come forward like they have done...it is people like you that are so negative that keeps a lot of women and children from trying to help themselves out of an abusive situation...it makes them feel like if they just let it keep happening then the world wont have to know and they dont have to be looked at as if they done something wron even when they havent sone anything wrong at all...
Thank God the jurors had the abilitly to see through this man. Any one who sat in that court room and watched the body language of Foote, his wife, and mother etc., and then listened and watched these girls would surely know the jurors made the right decision. He can hide behind lies to us here on earth, but God will be the one he has to answer to in the end. I feel that God was there today with the jurors and the girls when the decision to take him off of the street and out of other lives he could ruin was made. Good job jurors! Good job CPS, Julie, Bloomfield schools and our Prosectutor!Most of all God Bless both of the girls and let us pray that somehow they can have a much better life ahead of them. I don't know that they will ever be able to get past this. I can't imagine how they must have lived. They do seem to be in a much better environment and we need to thank God and their foster parents for this. Please remember to pray for their contined healing!
jjean you would not know the truth if it sat in your lap! These girls did the right thing, they are brave for finally confronting this man who did god awful things to them. God bless them, may they have a better life, than foote would have had in store for them!
Ann you say YOU KNOW! If you know, then you are just as guily as foote is, you condoned the terrible things he did and you continued to allow him to abuse his wife while he was out of jail. His wife is a text book case of a battered wife!! All she does is rock to self sooth, I can not tell you the number of times I have seen her do it! God bless these girls for finally bring this madness they have had to live with to an end! They are true heros!!
jjean im sure u would be saying that it didnt happen if it was your children too what a waste of space u are
I was molested as a child and raped as a pre teen, I believe the girls. Some of you say that you know the man and he would never do that. Did you live with the man. ( You know the behind closed doors) The ones that state that they knew him and he could have not committed these disgusting acts are the ones that are simple to fool. I was molested by a babysitters husband that everyone thought was the sweetest man and nicest guy. He could never do that, then I was raped by a boy in our church, he was from a highly respected family, he could never do that. Well let me tell you from experience, THEY DO DO IT AND THEY ARE REALLY GOOD AT FOOLING EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But I do hope that the girls are getting counseling and that they are told constantly that this is not their fault and they did not deserve this. You know the devil shows up everywhere, but God has the upper hand. They are a testimony to others who have been violated. Vengance is mine say our Lord and he will bless those girls and intervene and they will have great lifes if they are counseled and believe in PaPa our heavenly father.
My prayers are for the girls, the family and also their father.
I'm a victim, of a Rape. I like with everyday. I hope this man gets what he deserves. A Child is Child, please dont forget that. They went thru 2 trials, what a great job girls. Please dont let others hurt you..
jjean how do you know this is all a lie. Being a victim of child molestation myself believe me these girls are not lying and they wont have an easy life cause this will stick with them for the rest of their lives. I for one commend them for coming forward and bringing it to light. So wake up lady this piece of scum will get what he deserves.
good job greene county
How can you say these girls are lieing? They found his DNA on their underwear!! I know they planted it there didnt they?? How many times have people committed horrible crimes on others and then people get on tv and say I have known this person for many years and can't believe they did this? Just because you think you know someone or their family, you dont know what goes on behind closed doors. No young girl or girls would put themselves through what these two young girls have gone through and will go through for the rest of their lives for a lie or a prank. Get real! I hope this man gets exactlty what he has coming to him when he reaches the big house!
Thank You, Jurors!
I knew that they would find him guilty. Just had to have faith. So now behind those locked doors he will get his just desserts. Go big Bubba
What a sick PIG.