A man who was staring down the barrel of a life prison sentence if convicted of molesting his own daughters sobbed uncontrollably as a Mohave County Superior Court clerk read back verdicts that affirmed his freedom late Thursday afternoon. The jury deliberated less than a half hour before acquitting Dennis Sharkey, 34, of nine charges of child molestation, sexual conduct with a minor and sexual assault of a minor.
Prosecutor Greg McPhillips said the alleged victims were 12 and 14 years old when they engaged in sexual activity with the defendant in June of last year at the family’s former home in the north Mohave County community of Scenic. McPhillips noted that both girls maintained that their father took advantage of them for years.
“This is the face of abuse,” McPhillips said repeatedly as he showed images of the family and highlighted trial testimony for the jury.
Public Defender Robin Puchek attacked the strength of the state’s case and the credibility of the victims, one of whom he called a liar. “She sat at that stand and lied to you yesterday afternoon,” Puchek said.
Puchek elaborated on his successful defense the day after the trial was completed in downtown Kingman.
“Sharkey maintained the victim’s allegations were fabricated due to Sharkey’s stricter parenting style. Sharkey and the victim’s mother shared custody and visitation,” Puchek’s statement said. “Sharkey called several witnesses to testify the allegations only arose after Sharkey had refused to let his daughter’s get their own way. Sharkey also presented evidence his ex-wife was angry over his delinquent child support payments.”
Sharkey has relocated and currently resides in northern Nevada.
