State of Arizona V. Gilligan, Jerry
Trial began last week Monday, October 29th, with the closing statements being on Friday, November 1st.
Gilligan, 72, has been charged with:
5 counts of sexual misconduct with a minor
5 counts of aggravated assault
2 counts of kidnapping
4 counts of sexual assault
1 count of sexual exploitation of a minor
1 count of administration of dangerous drugs
Throughout the week the jurors heard testimony from multiple witnesses including police officers and medical staff from KRMC, who made the initial call to police, notifying them of suspicious activity when Gilligan and his wife checked into the emergency room on Sept 17, 2016.
The victim claimed that several days prior she found her son performing sexual acts on Gilligan in a shed located in the backyard of the couples home in downtown Kingman.
After confronting Gilligan about what she had seen, the victim told the court that Gilligan became very angry with her, threatening to kill her and her son if she exposed him.
Prosecuting attorney Jacob Cote asked the victim why she had not called police or reached out for help following her discovery.
“I was in fear I was in shock. Never in my wildest dreams, [I] have never been in that position; didn’t know what to do” the victim said on the witness stand.
Gilligan’s defense attorney, Sandra Carr told the jury that all of the chargers were fabricated and the work of a woman who was trying to take advantage of an elderly man trying to rebuild his life following release from prison.
Gilligan took the stand himself on the last day of trial Friday, November 1st, saying that everything the victim had said in her testimony was false. The jury deliberated following closing statements and returned Monday, taking several hours before returning with their decision.
Gilligan was found guilty on 10 of the 18 charges:
3 counts of sexual misconduct with a minor
2 counts of aggravated assault
2 counts of kidnapping
2 counts of sexual assault
1 count of sexual exploitation of a minor
Gilligan will return for sentencing on Dec 5th, 2019. In the state of Arizona, a verdict of guilt for sexual misconduct with a minor under the age of 12 carries a life sentence.