Elder cleared of fondling By CP
BRANDON, Man. -- Gordon Watson has been found not guilty of sexually assaulting an elderly hospital patient after a judge ruled a photo lineup used to identify Watson unfairly highlighted him as a suspect. The 42-year-old former Jehovah's Witness elder broke down in tears and embraced family members following Judge Krystyna Tarwid's decision on Wednesday.
"As you can see, I am very relieved this is over," Watson said outside court after the decision. "I want to get on with my life. The past year and a half has been terrible for our family. Our life has been ruined here. Our home used to be in Brandon but is no longer here because we were kicked out of the city, because of the media, unfortunately."
ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Watson was accused of sexually assaulting a 76-year-old woman as she was lying in her hospital bed at the Assiniboine Health Centre on Aug. 3, 2002.
The woman said a man walked into her room, identified himself as a doctor and proceeded to open her housecoat and kiss her breasts.
The woman, who described her attacker as well groomed and nattily attired, later picked Watson's photo from a police photo lineup including seven other pictures.