A prosecutor said the investigation into a former Louisiana mayor revealed a “lewd” photo during opening statements Thursday in a sex crimes trial, KPLC reported.
Why It Matters
Misty Clanton Roberts, 43, is accused of having sexual relations with a minor while she was mayor of DeRidder, Louisiana. She is charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile, KPLC reported.
Roberts has pleaded not guilty to all charges, American Press reported. Her attorney, Adam Johnson, previously told KPLC that she “maintains her innocence and, as it stands, she is in fact innocent.”
“We trust the public will respect her constitutional presumption of innocence which is fundamental to our system of justice,” Johnson said in a statement after her 2024 arrest. “Misty and her family are very grateful for the support they have received from their friends and neighbors and we look forward to putting this unfortunate situation behind them.”
What To Know
The prosecution said during opening statements that the investigation into Roberts revealed text messages between Roberts and the alleged victim’s mother and a photo of Roberts and the boy on the night of the incident, KPLC reported.
Prosecutor Charles Robinson said the messages show the juvenile’s mother reached out to Roberts to ensure she was not pregnant, and Roberts replied she was on birth control, according to the outlet.
The prosecutor said jurors will hear from the driver who delivered Plan B to Roberts’ door, the outlet reported.
Roberts’ attorneys said officials only learned of the case through social media, the outlet reported.
“Rumor became the story, and story became the press release,” Johnson said, according to the outlet.
Johnson said the boy did not acknowledge the incident happened, but he started “embracing” it after his girlfriend left him and the rumor had spread, KPLC reported.
The case previously ended in a mistrial.
Roberts was arrested shortly after she resigned as mayor in 2024. She served as an independent, and she was the first woman to hold the office of mayor in DeRidder. She was serving her second term after winning reelection in 2022.
What People Are Saying
Prosecutor Charles Robinson, in court on Thursday, according to KPLC: “A lewd and lascivious picture is worth a thousand words, and that was what was uncovered.”
Adam Johnson, defense attorney, in comments to jurors reported by American Press: “Misty Roberts has committed no sex crime.”
What Happens Next
The trial was expected to continue on Friday, KPLC reported. The judge said proceedings could go into Saturday, and jurors will be given a day off on Sunday if needed, according to the outlet.
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