(UPDATE - Thursday)

Bode Barker, a local Llano musician and former Castell fire chief, was found innocent Wednesday night of allegedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl in April 1999.

A jury of six men and six women deliberated for a little less than 5 hours before returning the verdict of not guilty around 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the Llano County Courthouse.

Jurors had heard two days of testimony from multiple witnesses, including Llano Police Chief James Schilling; Deborah Keith, executive director of the Hill County Children’s Advocacy Center; the girl’s grandmother, the girl’s mother and the girl, who was referred to in the case by the pseudonym “JES.”

Barker did not take the stand nor did the defense call any witnesses to testify.

For the full story, see Wednesday's Journal.

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Opening statements were heard Tuesday in the trial of Bode Barker at the Llano County Courthouse.

Barker, a local musician and former Castell fire chief, is standing trial on charges of aggravated sexual assault of a child, which prosecuting attorney Cheryl Nelson contends occurred on April 2, 1999, when Barker allegedly assaulted a 10-year-old girl.

If convicted, Barker will face between five and 99 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. His defense attorney is Eddie Shell.

On Tuesday, the jury, which is made of six men and six women who were selected from 113 potential jurors on Monday, heard testimony from Llano Police Chief James Schilling and Deborah Keith, executive director of the Hill County Children’s Advocacy Center. Both submitted investigative reports after the alleged incident occurred. Nelson received permission from Judge Guilford Jones to show a video interview Keith’s agency, the Llano Police and Child Protective Services conducted with the girl in April 20, 1999.

“It’s a unique situation,” Nelson said. “The interview was done very near the date of the offense.”

Shell said the girl, who attorneys are referring to by the pseudonym “JES 99-1,” likened the alleged offense to a dream.

Both sides may continue to make their cases for the remainder of the week before the jury deliberates, Jones said.