DELTA COUNTY -- The jury has asked for more time to deliberate the fate of a 23-year-old Gladstone man accused of first degree child abuse.
After over two hours of deliberating, it was decided that the jury would continue their deliberation at 8 a.m. Friday morning. Day four of the trial of Allen Joseph Brunette began with Jaclyn Roberts, the mother of the four-year-old victim, returning to the witness stand in the Delta County circuit courtroom.
The defendant chose not to testify.
Prosecutor Steve Parks said during his closing arguments, the testimonies of Brunette's ex-girlfriends were filled with elements of fear, love, and Brunette's control. Parks told the jury there's a reason to fear this man: he's a violent, abusive guy.
Defense attorney Trent Stupak told the jury that none of Brunette's past acts of domestic abuse claim child abuse. First degree child abuse is a felony that carries a maximum prison sentence of 15 years.
Brunette remains lodged in the Delta County Jail.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWLUC