Boy's teacher testifies
Last Modified: Wednesday, June 27, 2012 11:48 AM
By Taylor Prejean / American Press
Jurors on Tuesday heard from one of the alleged victim’s teachers in the aggravated rape trial of Brandon Keith Duhon. Duhon, 33, is accused of having sexual contact with an 8-year-old boy. Defense attorney King Alexander began calling witnesses after prosecutor Cynthia Guillory rested her case Tuesday. One of the witnesses was Mary Parker, a retired Oak Park Elementary School teacher who taught the child in the second grade. Parker said the child was below average academically and had a tendency to act out in class to gain attention. Sometimes, he would make false accusations against other students just to get attention, she said. In a videotaped Children’s Advocacy Center interview that jurors saw last week, the child said he had told several teachers about the alleged abuse. Parker said he never told her about any abuse and that she would have reported it to school authorities if he had. She said she can typically see signs of abuse without children having to tell her. Guillory pointed out during cross-examination that seeking attention can be a sign of abuse. Jurors also heard from Dr. David Hardey, an emergency room physician, who discussed the alleged victim’s injuries. Under questioning from Alexander, Hardey said there could be causes for the alleged victim’s anal tears other than sexual assault. He said, however, that sexual assault could not be ruled out. The trial is expected to continue today at 9:30 a.m.
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