KINGMAN – Trial is underway for a Kingman man accused of engaging in sexual activity with his friend’s teenage daughter. Attorneys presented opening statements to the Mohave County Superior Court jury late Tuesday morning in the case against David Harder, 41.
Harder faces six counts each of sexual assault and sexual conduct with a minor.
Deputy Mohave County Attorney Amanda Claerhout said the victim who is now 20 years old was 14- to 16-years-old when victimized by Harder over a near three-year period, though she didn’t come forward with allegations until she was 17.
Claerhout explained allegations involving Harder surfaced when the teenager told local law enforcement that her father molested her for roughly a decade and that her first memory of that dates back to kindergarten.
Claerhout and defense attorney Greg McPhillips indicated that the girl’s father was convicted and sent to prison in a Mohave County Sheriff’s investigation. The case against Harder is a Kingman Police Department case.
Claerhout said Harder’s daughter and the victim will provide convincing testimony of the defendant’s guilt.
McPhillips said the jury should question late reporting in the case and the alleged victim’s inability to provide specific dates of offenses.
“You will have reasonable doubt that David Harder committed a crime, any crime,” McPhillips said. “You will find David Harder not guilty of all of the counts.” Dave Hawkins
