It took a Livingston Parish jury five hours to deliberate and return a guilty verdict of first degree rape for David Jenkins Sr.
Assistant District Attorney Zach Daniels prosecuted the case that started Monday, Nov. 29th and wrapped up in a week’s time on Friday, Dec. 3rd.
Jenkins was the live-in boyfriend for the young girl’s grandmother, who was the legal custodian of the child. After her grandmother died at the end of 2017, the little girl moved in with other family members. While getting ready for a church event, prosecutors said the girl told her family members that Jenkins sexually abused her in a bathtub in April 2017.
That’s when the little girl was interviewed and Jenkins was arrested. During his interview, officials said he confessed to having the young girl, who was four at the time, perform oral sex on him in April 2017. He told officials it only happened one time but the child told deputies it happened multiple times.
However, during trial, Jenkins testified that there was no form of sexual abuse saying, “I never touched that girl.” He added the detective on the case coerced him into a false confession.
The prosecutor presented six witnesses including the victim herself, who is now 9-yrs-old. Other witnesses included the detective over the case, a captain from the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office, a licensed nurse and some family members.
The defense presented two witnesses, including Jenkins himself and his current girlfriend.
In the end, the jury unanimously found Jenkins guilty of first degree rape.
His sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 3rd, however first degree rape carries a mandatory life sentence.
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