LAKEPORT A Kelseyville man whose jury trial for sexually assaulting a minor was already under way has changed his plea from “not guilty” to “guilty.”
William C. Adkins, 59, of Kelseyville, initially pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of sexually assaulting a minor, but after the victim took the stand and testified against him on Wednesday, he changed his plea.
After the jury was sworn in and opening statements had been made, the 17-year-old female victim took the stand and provided a detailed account of how she was assaulted, allegedly by Adkins. Before Deputy District Attorney John DeChaine concluded his direct examination of the victim, however, Adkins admitted his guilt according to a report from DeChaine.
Asked if it was unusual for a defendant to change their plea in the middle of a jury trial DeChaine said, “It”s unusual to some extent. These cases turn on the believability and credibility of the victim. Defendants hope the victim won”t be persuasive.”
But apparently the 17-year-old victim was persuasive enough as Adkins changed his plea and the judge accepted it. “She presented the facts well,” DeChaine said, “She was able to relay the events in great detail.”
When he began to assault her, she pretended to be asleep because she was very frightened, the victim testified on Wednesday in court, according to DeChaine. “Victims pretend to be asleep, that”s their best alternative. I see that as a defense mechanism oftentimes in these type of cases. Much like a child who hides under the covers.
“What is a child”s alternative when a caregiver or a trusted person assaults them?” DeChaine asked. At some point during the assault, the phone rang. “That gave her the courage to get up and run out of the house.”
DeChaine said the victim was hesitant to testify because she was afraid and didn”t want to face Adkins, but flew in from out of state to testify. “Not to speak for her, but it appeared that she didn”t want something like this to happen to another juvenile,” DeChaine said, and appeared to be relieved when he admitted guilt.
Adkins asked Judge Robert Crone, who presided over the trial, for permission to change his plea from “not guilty” of two felony counts to “guilty” of one felony count of sexual assault on an underage victim. The second count was dismissed given Adkins” desire to plead guilty.
The victim and the lead detective, Jerry Pfann of the Lake County Sheriff”s Department, were both present in the courtroom when the defendant finally admitted guilt.
“Up until Wednesday,” DeChaine said, “Adkins maintained that he was not guilty. The victim was able to be present in the courtroom when he admitted guilt.”
If given the maximum sentence, Adkins faces three years in prison. Whether Adkins is sentenced to prison and whether he will be required to register as a sex offender will be determined by the sentencing judge.
Before sentencing occurs, the court will review a Lake County Probation Department report and will hear the arguments of DeChaine, who prosecuted the case, and Adkins” defense attorney, Bruce Laning.
Prior to trial, Adkins was free on $20,000 bail. Following his guilty plea, however, Crone remanded the defendant into custody without bail.
Adkins is scheduled for sentencing at 8:15 a.m. July 7 in Department 2 of the Lake County Superior Court.
Contact Terre Logsdon at tlogsdon@record-bee.com.
