Thu, Nov 26 2009
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Medical expert doubts girl lied about rape Experts talked with suspected victim at Youngstown center By DORIS COOK - Staff WriterThe doctor contends a child under 6 or 7 years may be able to talk about “events happening” but cannot always provide specific dates.
“As adults, we can recall details better,” he said. McPherson told the jury that the vast majority of sexually abused children will delay disclosing to anyone what occurred. They could be ashamed or even fearful, he said. Under cross-examination, Per Due asked McPherson whether children make up things to get attention or even lie. McPherson said sometimes they do but disagreed in this case that the girl has lied. Referring to Gorsuch’s report, McPherson detailed that Poling used “grooming techniques” to gain trust of the girl. The defendant played games or would think up tricks, the girl told Gorsuch. Gorsuch testified the center uses a team approach in interviewing abused children, so as to not subject the children to repeating their statements over and over to multiple staff members. Gorsuch related she personally took the girl’s medical history, conducted the child’s physical examination and took more statements from both the child and her mother. Poling is referred to as “Grandpa Tim” by the girl in Gorsuch’s report. Gorsuch testified the physical exam findings were “consistent with sexual abuse,” although no vaginal penetration was apparent. Per Due’s first defense witness was Janet Persichetti of Sevierville, Tenn., a former girlfriend of Debbie Cunningham’s son, Neil, the girl’s father. Persichetti said she was a friend of Poling and Cunningham from 2002 to 2005. She spoke of having visited frequently their Pierpont Township home with her now-13-year-old daughter, Jenna Williams, who also testified. Persichetti testified she never saw Poling touch the girl or her daughter improperly. Persichetti and her daughter moved to Tennessee in 2007. A third defense witness was Cheryl Scruton, former teacher at Cranesville Christian Academy in Cranesville, Pa., who was the alleged victim’s teacher in the first and second grades. Scruton described the girl as “friendly and got good grades.” The girl sometimes needed more attention than the other students, she said. 
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