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April 23, 2005
Two found guilty in child molestation case
A Mississippi doctor and his co-defendant were convicted today on charges they molested a 13-year-old boy in a Shreveport motel more than two years ago.
A four-woman, eight-man federal jury convicted Dr. William Causey and Scott Hitt of aiding and abetting the transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in sexual activity, travel with the intent to engage in sexual act with a juvenile and coercion and enticement.
The decision came during the third day of deliberations. Jurors appeared to be deadlocked on a verdict midday Thursday. However, Judge Maurice Hicks asked the jury to continue deliberating in hopes of reaching a verdict.
Causey and Hitt, who are in a relationship, showed no emotion Friday when the clerk read the verdict. Hitt was in federal custody pending other charges. But Hicks revoked Causey’s bail, and the physician was denied the opportunity to hug friends and relatives before U.S. Marshals led him to jail. Acquaintances of the defendants tentatively watched as Causey emptied his wallet then took off his suit coat, neck tie and belt and handed the items to his attorney.
“I wish I could have hugged his neck one more time,” said a woman who identified herself Causey’s daughter Regan. Teary-eyed and soft spoken, the woman said she believes there was prejudice against homosexuality within the jury, and that jurors didn’t looked into the evidence like they should have. She left Shreveport federal courthouse accompanied by her mother and pushing an infant child in a stroller.
“I wished he could have kissed his grandson, but they were just doing their job,” she said.
Defense Attorneys Bill Kirksey and Betty Marak said the defendants are victims of the child’s attempts to ruin a 15-year-old friendship between his foster mother and Hitt. The child warned his parents of his intentions, then put his plan in effect when he told a teacher of the allegations.
Citing a gag order in the case, the attorneys weren’t allowed to comment. But Kirksey voiced his opinion from a friend’s perspective. He and Causey have been friends for years.
“I’m very sadden and upset about the verdict,” he said.
The government says Causey, a 63-year-old infectious disease specialist, and Hitt, 38, transported the then-13-year-old boy from Mississippi to Shreveport during the weekend of the 2002 Independence Bowl, engaged in sexual activity with the boy and told him not to tell anyone. Prosecutors allege the Shreveport incident was the first of 75-90 instances in which the men had sex with the boy. Both face similar charges in Mississippi regarding the same teen.
“We are pleased with the jury’s verdict and pleased that justice was done,” U.S. Attorney Donald Washington said Friday in a prepared statement. “This was a long and difficult trial, but protecting children from sexual abuse is one of our most important tasks.”
But Patricia Causey contends her ex-husband was wrongly convicted.
“I’m his ex-wife and I know him. This is an innocent man,” she said.
Sentencing for Causey and Hitt is scheduled for Aug. 3.
Posted by Nealus at April 23, 2005 08:05 PM
