PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. — Opening statements will begin Tuesday morning in the trial of former Prince George County Assistant Superintendent William Barnes, who faces numerous child sex charges involving his adopted son.
On Monday, a jury of eight women and six men was selected, with two serving as alternates.
Donald Newbold will testify Tuesday. He alleges he was repeatedly sexually abused by his adopted father when he was a teenager.
Multiple other men claim they were sexually assaulted by the former administrator, but only one of those accusers will testify for the Commonwealth in this trial.
That alleged victim claims he was sexually assaulted in the 1970s at the age of 15 on an overnight hockey trip.
During jury selection Monday, the defense stressed the burden of proof in this case is on the Commonwealth. Craig Cooley, who is representing Barnes said, “This is a case of child molestation”. He described it as "abhorrent", if it happened. Cooley addressed the potential jurors and said you can be offended by the allegations, but you have to judge them by the evidence, he explained.
The defense has subpoenaed more than 30 witnesses including Newbold's estranged wife and children and former Prince George Superintendent Dr. Lisa Pennycuff who is currently the Superintendent of Hanover County Public Schools. Cooley said he would only call Dr. Pennycuff to identify a document.
Barnes faces 11 charges for allegedly sexually assaulting three men when they were teens, including Newbold, the other accuser testifying for the Commonwealth in this trial and a man who police say reported Barnes in 2014 for allegedly assaulting him as a teen. Police say that the anonymous tip wasn’t investigated at the time.
Barnes has two other criminal trials this year.
67 potential jurors were summoned Monday. Media coverage, being acquainted with individuals in the trial and alleged victims of sexual assault were some of the reasons jurors were struck from the jury pool.
Laura French will bring you the latest from the courthouse.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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