Lawyers to cross-examine boy found in basement after 11 days
May 20, 2015, 5:18 AM
DETROIT (AP) — A judge has scheduled a final day of testimony for a 13-year-old Detroit boy who was found in his basement after an 11-day search last summer.
Charlie Bothuell is testifying against his father, also named Charlie Bothuell, and his stepmother, Monique Dillard-Bothuell. A judge must decide whether there’s enough evidence to send them to trial on charges of torture and child abuse.
The hearing has stretched over many days and is resuming on Wednesday.
During earlier testimony, Charlie said he was ordered to the basement by his stepmother as a punishment. He says he never called for help during the 11-day period, although police and others had been in the home during a search.
Defense attorneys have questioned Charlie’s truthfulness and noted that he occasionally left the basement for food.
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