Lillibridge

Defendant Todd Phillip Lillibridge testified that he did not sexually abuse a juvenile on Wednesday in Marshall County District Court.

Lillibridge answered “no” when asked if he had ever had sex with the juvenile, ever touched a juvenile inappropriately, ever used handcuffs or sex toys on the juvenile or ever done anything sexual with the juvenile.

Lillibridge is facing one felony count of sexual abuse in the second degree and two felony counts of sexual abuse in the third degree, all filed against him by Marshalltown police last August.

When questioned by Marshall County prosecutor Jennifer Miller, the 15-year-old victim testified last week the defendant may have initiated sexual abuse starting in elementary school and continued over the years with the most recent incident occurring the evening of Aug. 29, 2018. On Aug. 30 the victim told educators and school support staff of the alleged sexual abuse, the most recent being the evening of Aug. 29, and Marshalltown police were notified later that day.

The MPD executed a search warrant the evening of Aug. 30 at the Lillibridge home and collected evidence which the prosecution believes corroborates the charges. The MPD also executed a second search warrant Sept. 12 at the Lillibridge home, looking specifically for the victim’s cell phone which police were led to believe might contain a video recording of the defendant sexually assaulting the victim. However, that particular cell phone was not found.

Wednesday marked day six of the trial which not only saw the defendant testify and face cross-examination from Miller but also heard Miller tell the court in morning deliberations the prosecution was resting its case.

Consequently, co-defense counsel Chad Frese moved for a directed verdict, or an acquittal for Lillibridge. Specifically he asked Judge John Haney to dismiss all charges against his client, claiming the prosecution had not proven conclusively Lillibridge had committed the crimes.

Miller objected to the directed verdict request. She said the prosecution had proven Lillibridge had committed at least three sex acts. Haney denied Frese’s request for a directed verdict, saying there was enough evidence against the defendant the case should go the jury.

Co-defense counsel Jennifer Frese also called other witnesses to vouch for Lillibridge’s character, and also rebut the victim’s claim she was beaten periodically with a belt and that marks from the defendant were evident.

None of the defense witnesses, including the Ames’ Cyclone Aquatic Club Coach Mike Peterson and Ames High School Women’s Swimming Coach Don Flannery, saw physical marks of abuse on the victim. Another was niece Hayley Lillibridge of Marshalltown. She was followed by Lillibridge’s father-in-law Robert Arthur of Marshalltown.

Deliberations resume 9 a.m. Thursday in the MAX Building’s temporary courtroom.