KINGMAN – Trial will begin on October 29 for a Kingman man accused of sexual abuse and torture of a local woman and her 11-year-old son. Prosecutor Jacob Cote, defense attorney Sandra Carr and Judge Billy Sipe will conduct a pre-trial hearing on October 28 to handle any motions or other matters in the case against Jerry Gilligan, 72.
Gilligan previously served more than two decades in prison for the murder of his step-father before he was paroled in 2013. He is named in a 26-count indictment charging him with a number of sex offenses as well as assault and kidnapping counts.
At the time of his September, 2016 arrest Deputy Kingman Police Chief Rusty Cooper said investigators believed that Gilligan sexually and physically abused his wife and her son (39 and 11 at the time) over a two-year period.
The investigation began when authorities learned the woman was being treated at a local hospital. She told detectives that Gilligan burned her with battery acid. Cooper said police found evidence corroborating her claim that she and her son were bound, sexually assaulted and videotaped over a four-day period.
At least 120 prospective jurors will be summoned to the trial at the Mohave County courthouse. Attorneys requested a large pool to ensure that a fair and impartial panel can be selected and seated.
“I’m very concerned about getting a jury in this case because of the charges, the nature of some of the evidence that’s going to be presented and the publicity,” Carr said.
