CLEARFIELD – The case against a Hawk Run man who has been accused of inappropriately touching a young girl will go to the jury on Thursday morning in Clearfield County Court.
Wescott Pusey, 41, of Hawk Run is facing one count of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child. He is also facing 30 counts each of aggravated indecent assault of a child, aggravated indecent assault of a person less than 13 years, corruption of minors and indecent assault.
Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. is prosecuting the case on behalf of the commonwealth. Pusey is being represented by defense attorney Ron Collins of Clearfield. Judge Paul Cherry is presiding over the trial.
The alleged victim testified first on behalf of the commonwealth. However, Shaw requested that the courtroom be cleared during her testimony with the exception of the necessary personnel.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on May 25, 2014, the alleged victim told her mother that Pusey had been inappropriately touching her. When interviewed by state police at Clearfield the alleged victim said this happened “a lot” and more than 30 times. During one incident, the alleged victim said Pusey inserted an object inside of her.
Her mother testified that on May 25, 2014, the alleged victim was watching television when Pusey noticed she was chewing her nails. She said Pusey told the alleged victim to stop, as it was a “dirty habit.”
She said the alleged victim replied to Pusey, saying she knew his “dirty habit.” She said Pusey told the alleged victim to “shut her mouth or she would get into trouble.” After giving the exchange some thought, she later asked the alleged victim about Pusey’s “dirty habit.”
According to her, she expected the alleged victim to tell her that Pusey had been chewing snuff. She said that initially the alleged victim was very reluctant to talk about it but eventually whispered to her that Pusey had been inappropriately touching her.
Later that day, the alleged victim’s mother said Pusey text-messaged her because no one was around. She told him he needed to get out by 5 p.m. or she would contact police. She said when they returned Pusey was not there.
After he left, the alleged victim’s mother said Pusey would communicate with her via e-mail, text-message and Facebook. In these communications, she said Pusey admitted his sins had been made known. She also said he left the alleged victim a note, telling her what happened wasn’t her fault but his own.
A sibling who allegedly witnessed Pusey inappropriately touching the victim said it occurred once or twice a week over a period of several months. The sibling said he reported what he’d seen to their mother after the alleged victim did.
Trooper Justin Jones of the Clearfield-based state police said he interviewed the alleged victim, her mother and her siblings. He also observed a forensic interview with the alleged victim at the Child Advocacy Center. Jones said upon the completion of his investigation, he filed the charges against Pusey.
Under cross-examination by Collins, Jones said the alleged victim had undergone a medical exam as part of the procedure at the Child Advocacy Center. When asked he indicated that the alleged victim had a “clear exam,” meaning it didn’t show any injuries.
Pusey chose not to testify at the trial. Collins didn’t present any defense witnesses. Pusey’s trial will resume at 9 a.m. today with closing arguments and then jury instructions.
