Judge declares mistrial in sexual abuse of a minor case
TWIN FALLS, Idaho (AP) -- A judge has declared a mistrial for a 44-year-old Twin Falls man charged with sexually molesting a 16-year-old girl.
The decision came Monday after opening statements in the trial of Robert Brackett, who is acting as his own attorney in the case.
The Times-News reports Brackett told jurors that he was facing eight life sentences if convicted of the crimes. Prosecutors immediately requested a mistrial, saying that statement unfairly played on the sympathies of jurors.
District Judge Michael Crabtree ultimately agreed and declared a mistrial.
Brackett is accused of eight counts of using a child in or possession sexually exploitative material and seven counts of sexual battery committed by lewd or lascivious acts on a minor.
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Information from: The Times-News, http://www.magicvalley.com
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