NORWICH – A man accused of molesting his granddaughter took his case before a jury and walked away convicted on all counts Tuesday.
It took a jury over three hours to deliberate Delbert Shofkom’s fate, but at approximately 7:30 p.m., they unanimously declared him guilty on all six counts.
“People need to know how devastating this is to the family, as one could see by the room full of hysterical people following the verdict,” said District Attorney Joseph McBride.
Shofkom was found guilty of attempting to rape his granddaughter on at least one occasion and forcing her into sexual encounters on several different occasions beginning in November 2004.
The prosecution called three witnesses to the stand and the defense called two during the two-day trial. In the court room, sides of the family were split as one supported the young girl and her allegations and the other supporting Shofkom. The victim’s father and her two brothers lived with Shofkom.
On the stand, the now 17-year-old victim testified that she was scared of her grandfather and received “presents” in expectation of returning some sort of physical contact or allowing herself to be inappropriately touched.
“I told him I learned in school it was wrong and I didn’t like it,” said the teen on the stand.
During her emotional testimony, three members of the jury wiped tears from their eyes. Following her direct examination on the stand by the prosecution, the court granted a 20-minute recess before attorney John D. Cameron resumed questioning on behalf of the defense.
