LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – A former Slaton priest accused of touching a woman without her consent was found not guilty on two charges today by a Lubbock jury.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Former Slaton priest accused of indecent assault
73-year-old Ammanuel Puthuparambil was charged with indecent assault and unlawful restraint in June of this year. It took the jury just over two hours to deliver the not-guilty verdict.
Court documents detailed three incidents of Puthuparambil attempting to sexually assault the victim and another incident attempting to restrain her.
The court heard from both sides today including a friend of the victim, who said she met with her after the alleged assault. She said the victim was crying and
The defense said the case was a “he said, she said” situation. It also claimed the victim’s story would always change throughout the process.
In July, the victim filed a lawsuit against Puthuparambil, suing for more than $1 million for damage claims of emotional abuse, unlawful restraint, physical pain, medical expenses both prior and future, battery and sexual assault.
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Puthuparambil avoids up to a year in prison as both charges are class A misdemeanors.
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