Former Burlington Alderman Chris King has been found guilty of sexually abusing four teenage girls. The jury of 6 men and 6 women deliberated for about 8 hours over a two day period before reaching ithe guilty verdict.
The four girls who testified against King during the roughly two-week long trial were between the ages of 16-18 when they said they were sexually abused by King. All four went to King's photography studio, which closed shortly after his arrest, for their high school senior pictures.
King was accused of giving them alcohol and driving them around rural Des Moines County before sexually abusing them. King admitted to having some sexual contact with several girls, but denied that it was against their will.
The jury found him guilty on four of the six counts against him.
- Sexual Abuse 3rd Degree (2 counts)
- Assault with Intent to Commit Sexual Abuse (1 count)
- Assault by Penetration of Genitalia with an Object (1 count)
The two counts for which King was found not guilty were exhibition of obscene material to a minor and indecent exposure.
Hoffman said District Judge John Linn ordered the packed courtroom to avoid any emotional outbursts as the verdict was being read. He said King showed little emotion when he heard he was found guilty of multiple counts of sexual abuse.
“Mr. King basically bowed his head," said Hoffman. "As you know, he has been having trouble with nosebleeds. He started wiping his nose because it started bleeding. There were some tears in his eyes but he showed no outward emotion.”
Hoffman said several of the young women and their family members told him, after leaving the courtroom, that they were relieved and that they were glad this was behind them.
Judge Linn revoked King's $40,000 cash bond after the verdict was read and ordered he be housed in the Des Moines County Jail until his sentencing on September 19. King faces up to 32 years in prison.
Hoffman said King faces a similar lawsuit from a different group of young women.
Hoffman said a trail date has yet to be set. He also expects an attempt to move the trial out of Des Moines County, given the amount of publicity drawn by the first trial against King.
