UPDATE - Aaron Parillon found not guilty
The nine-member jury, comprising of four males and five females, unanimously found him not guilty of one count of having sex with a girl under the age of 16.
After the verdict was handed down, the 27 year-old artiste broke down in tears.
Virgin Islands News Online also understands that Parillon broke down yesterday in the High Court while he was testifying and adamantly stated he never had sex with the Virtual Complainant (VC), who was a student at the primary school he was teaching at the time.
During the two-day trial, the Crown contended that Parillon picked up the VC on a date unknown in October 2008, carried her to his Sea Cows Bay apartment and had sexual intercourse with her.
However, he denied that ever occurred.
In her summation, Justice Indra Hariprashad-Charles stated that the trial boiled down to one thing – who the jury believed more.
She pointed out that the burden of proof lie with the Crown and pointed to the inconsistencies in the VC’s testimony. The judge noted when the VC was cross-examined by Duane Jean Baptsite, Parillon’s lawyer, it was revealed that the VC’s version of the event changed when she spoke to the police, the Magistrate’s Court and now in the High Court.
During her testimony, the VC appeared timid and spoke quietly at times.
According to the VC, she claimed Parillon because she was bored on the unknown evening. When he arrived, she sneaked out of her step mother’s Baughers Bay home and they drove to Queen Elizabeth’s Park where they sat on a bench and watched at the moon.
The VC further claimed that eventually Parillon asked if she was ready to go home to which she responded no and said he allegedly drove to his apartment, took her to his bedroom and turned on the television.
The court heard that he allegedly began rubbing her back, then they began to kiss and Parillon allegedly took off her clothes and his clothes, placed a condom on his private part and proceeded to have sex with the VC.
On the stand, the VC admitted that she and Parillon only had sex once.
She was 14 at the time the alleged incident occurred and the alleged sexual act came to light after it was discovered that the VC was 24 weeks pregnant for Willis Blackett, who is currently serving time for a similar offence.
Parillon always maintained innocenceParillon, in an exclusive interview with VINO on October 25, 2010 had reiterated that he looks forward to his trial and was very confident that his good name will be cleared, as he had “done nothing wrong”.
Considered a role model to many young people throughout the Virgin Islands, the artiste added that the thought provoking allegations against him has made him humble and respectful of God’s strength.
Crown Counsel Christilyn Benjamin prosecuted the case.
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