LAKE HAVASU CITY – A frightened teenager dabbed back tears as she began to testify Tuesday about enduring alleged sex offenses committed at two different households in Lake Havasu City. The girl, now 14, told the Mohave County Superior Court jury she was 10 years old the first time she was violated by Michael Lee, 34.
The girl who now resides in San Diego, said she was laying on a couch when Lee climbed on top of her, touched her and forced her to touch him. “I was uncomfortable and it hurt,” she said of the experience.
Deputy County Attorney Leah Nelson posed questions under direct examination in a trial expected to extend to Friday. She said members of the panel will be persuaded to find Lee guilty of four counts of sexual conduct with a minor and another charge for exposing her to pornography between the start of 2022 and end of 2024.
Defense attorney Ross Carponelli urged jurors to pay close attention to testimony, keep an open mind, refrain from rushing to judgement and acquit his client.
“An investigation is not proof, a report is not proof and an accusation is not proof,” Carponelli said. “The question before you as jurors is whether the evidence has been proven to you for each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Dave Hawkins
