BEAUMONT, Texas — Testimony in the trial of a 41-year-old Groves man accused of committing sex crimes against a child began Tuesday
Michael Lawrence Pousson is charged with continuous sexual abuse of a child, which is a first-degree felony, according to Jefferson County Jail records. He was indicted on the charge on January 26, 2022.
If he is found guilty, Pousson faces anywhere from 25 to 99 years or life in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. His punishment is set to be decided by a jury.
The trial comes after a victim, who officials said was only 7 years old at the time, made an outcry to police. The child was interviewed at the Garth House following the outcry.
Jefferson County Assistant District Attorney Tatiana Zelezniak read the indictment in court charging Pousson with a first-degree felony.
When Judge Raquel West asked Pousson how he pleaded, he said, "Not guilty."
In her opening statements, Zelezniak told the jury the assaults began when the victim was 5 years old. Zelezniak said the jury will hear testimony from the child.
Zelezniak said the child would tell the jury how she eventually told an adult what happened and explain how Pousson came to have access to her.
The attorney told members of the jury they would hear from two forensic nurses who would explain how the evidence they collected showed the child was assaulted more than once.
Pousson's defense attorney, Laurie Perozzo, began her opening statements by telling the jury about the type of reports and physical evidence that was collected in the case. She said the jury would learn that the victim's mother continued to call and text Pousson until he was arrested.
Perozzo said non of the text messages are related to the alleged assault.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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