AL – Former day-care owner acquitted in sexual abuse trial

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Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – A former day-care owner who spent 15 months in jail awaiting trial has been acquitted on charges of sexually molesting two boys.

A Montgomery County jury deliberated less than 40 minutes Friday before finding Lordrick “C.J.” Williams III, 25, not guilty on five counts of first-degree sodomy and two counts of first-degree sexual abuse.

In testimony, Williams told jurors the allegations related to a disgruntled female employee at his Kidz 1st day-care center.

The two boys testified about their alleged abuse. The district attorney’s office also called two expert doctors to the stand, but it was Williams’ testimony that jurors chose to believe.

Deputy District Attorney Azzie Taylor said the boys did the right thing by reporting. “I’m sure they’ll try as best as they can to lead normal lives,” Taylor said.

Williams’ court-appointed attorney, Mike Kidd, said a court-imposed gag order had prevented his client from giving his side of the story.

On the witness stand, Williams was asked by Kidd whether he inappropriately touched either of his accusers.

Williams replied, “Absolutely not.”

In his closing statements, Kidd said both boys’ stories conflicted with other people’s account of events or directly conflicted with their own earlier statements.