FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A former police officer who was charged with rape and sexually abusing children has been acquitted on multiple charges.
The jury returned a partial verdict today in the trial of Richard Gooddine.
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Channel 2′s Tom Jones was at the Fulton County Courthouse, where some of the jurors said one member of their group refused to deliberate, and that’s what they said led to the mistrial on 10 of the counts.
Jurors said one juror favored the defense and refused to consider what the other jurors had to say.
Former East Point officer Richard Gooddine faced 17 counts, including child molestation, aggravated sexual battery, violation of oath and sexual assault by a law enforcement officer.
Prosecutors said Gooddine would assault women and children while searching them or gaining their trust.
The defense said the alleged victims had ulterior motives to make up the allegations.
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The jury deliberated about 10 hours starting Wednesday.
Around noon Friday, their verdicts were announced in court. There were seven not-guilty verdicts and the jury couldn’t agree on 10 count.
Jurors sent a note to the judge that said one juror was shaking her head in agreement during the defense’s presentation. They said she had made up her mind then and refused to deliberate.
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Prosecutors said they plan to retry Gooddine on the charges the jury couldn’t agree on.
Meanwhile, the attorney for the alleged victims said they are saddened by this decision, but will keep fighting.