On Friday, October 1, 2010, a 4-man, 8-woman jury returned a guilty verdict against ROBERT D. NELSON, of Kissee Mills (d.o.b. 07/02/1969), on two counts of first degree child molestation. Nelson was on trial for molesting a nine-year-old girl at his Taney County home in May of 2005. Trial began on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, in Ozark, due to a change of venue. Jury deliberations began at about 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 30th, after closing arguments. The jury deliberated nearly nine hours from Thursday through Friday morning.

The two first-degree child molestation counts had originally been part of an eight-count felony information, but the counts were severed by the Court. ROBERT D. NELSON still awaits trial on the remaining six counts, which involve two other alleged victims.

“This case was hard-fought, and not easy on the witnesses or the jurors. I’m extremely proud of the victim’s bravery in facing her abuser in open court, and enduring a difficult cross-examination,” said Taney County Prosecuting Attorney, Jeffrey Merrell. “I’m thankful that this allegation was brought to our attention. Although originally reported in 2005, these counts were not filed until 2009. That’s when the original reports were brought to me.”

ROBERT D. NELSON was already on Taney County’s sex offender registry at the time of the 2005 offenses. No sentencing date has been scheduled. Each count of the class B felony of child molestation in the first degree carries a range of punishment of five (5) to fifteen (15) years in the Missouri Department of Corrections.

Please be advised that the pending charges filed against the defendant ROBERT D. NELSON are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless prove guilty.