Deaf Woman's 17-Year Abuse Trial Begins

0:00On March 31st, seven family members faced trial for sexually abusing a deaf woman over a 17-year stretch from 1996 to 2. 2013. That's four brothers and three uncles charged with a total of 103 counts, mostly against her. They all deny it. One uncle, a 48-year-old man, admitted during police interviews to having sex with his niece multiple times when she was about 20. He blamed it on being drunk. Said she never signaled to stop, but owned up saying he knew he'd done wrong. The victim comes from a tough family dynamic, with her being deaf and vulnerable. One of the accused also faces charges for abusing two of her younger sisters, adding layers to this heartbreaking case. Prosecutors wrapped up their evidence recently, and the judge updated the jury that legal rulings come next. She'll handle those solo, so jurors stay on call from April 20th, though it might drag longer than expected. The fence might call witnesses after, then closings, and final instructions.

1:00The judge called the evidence phase, the heavy lifting, apologized for the delays, and sent everyone off for Easter break before the next push.