Glick sexual assault case goes to jury

A jury in the sexual assault case of Ronald Glick, formerly of Kalispell, is expected to begin deliberations this morning.

The jury heard evidence that Glick, 36, molested a 13-year-old girl as she lay next to him on a couch at his Kalispell business, Arcadia, in the summer of 2003. Glick didn't testify in his defense. His lawyers, Ed Falla and David Stufft, have put forth the theory that if Glick did anything improper, he did it in his sleep and so isn't legally culpable.

Tuesday's evidence included testimony from a jailmate of Glick's, Frank Allen. He said that while the men were in jail after Glick's arrest, Glick described how he put one hand beneath the girl's shirt and the other hand down her pants.

Glick allegedly said that anyone who isn't attracted to the girl would have to "be gay."

The girl told her grandparents, who called police. An investigation by police and Child Protective Services ensued. Both investigations ended with no charges filed against Glick.

He then filed suit against the girl's grandparents, the city, and individual officials for defamation. He seeks more than $3 million in damages. Police later filed the sexual-assault charge against Glick. Falla implied during opening statements that the charge was in reprisal for the lawsuit.

Also Tuesday, Wendy Dutton, an expert in child sexual abuse from Phoenix, testified for the prosecution. Falla questioned her about interview techniques used by Kalispell police officers with the girl. She said some of the questions asked of the girl were leading.

The girl was interviewed by police four times. She contradicted herself in one interview and said it was possible that Glick had been asleep during the incident. The girl testified Monday that her mother did not believe her and told her to tell police that Glick was asleep.

This morning, the jury will hear instructions from District Judge Kitty Curtis and then closing arguments from the attorneys.

If convicted, Glick could be sentenced to two to 100 years, or life, in prison.