WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) - A former Massachusetts community swim director who was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl has been acquitted.
The Telegram and Gazette reports (https://bit.ly/2tWjf0G ) Judge Janet Kenton-Walker found 26-year-old Joshua Phillips not guilty on five counts of child rape aggravated by age difference and one count of indecent assault and battery Thursday. A jury previously waived the case.
The 14-year-old accuser case claims Phillips assaulted her multiple times at the Whitin Community Center in Northbridge in 2012 and 2013.
Judge Kenton-Walker says the girl’s mental health records showed the teen had multiple symptoms of mental illness.
Phillips’ lawyer says the teen was living out a fantasy.
Assistant District Attorney Lambrini Pashou says Facebook messages prove Phillips and his accuser had a sexual relationship and that Phillips took advantage of the girl.
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Information from: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.), https://www.telegram.com
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