A Nobleboro man was found not guilty of four counts of class A gross sexual assault at the conclusion of a jury-waived trial on Wednesday, Sept. 2 in Lincoln County Superior Court in Wiscasset.
Corey R. Pitcher, 46, had been accused of sexually assaulting a girl in Nobleboro and Warren in 2000 and 2001 when the girl was 12 and 13. The defendant waived his constitutional right to a jury trial, leaving the verdict to Superior Court Justice Daniel Billings.
The first day of the trial was Aug. 21. The trial resumed Tuesday, Sept. 1 and concluded Wednesday, Sept. 2.
After the conclusion of testimony on the final day of the trial, the judge retired to deliberate and subsequently issued the verdict of not guilty.
District Attorney Geoff Rushlau represented the state during the trial.
Rushlau said he believes the alleged victim’s testimony made for a strong case.
“I thought the victim’s testimony was very clear and detailed,” Rushlau said.
If the defendant had been found guilty, he would have faced up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.
Matthew D. Bowe, an attorney out of Brunswick, represented the defendant during the trial.
Bowe said the state did not prove the allegations his client faced beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The evidence presented was well short” of that standard, Bowe said.
Bowe added the testimony of the seven witnesses called by the defense was integral in leading to the verdict of not guilty.
“I think all the witnesses were important,” Bowe said.