Defendant in molestation case allegedly comes to court intoxicated
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James A. Burnsworth
A Washington County man accused of molesting several girls two years ago is in jail after he was tardy – and allegedly drunk – when he appeared for a court proceeding Friday.
Judge Michael J. Lucas revoked the non-monetary bond of James A. Burnsworth, 41, for whom court records list addresses in Marianna and East Bethlehem Township.
In a court order, Lucas found Burnsworth had “appeared late to his scheduled plea and sentence” Friday morning and had “done so in a state of visible intoxication.”
Lucas directed Burnsworth be held in the county jail “pending plea disposition or trial.”
Twelve jurors were picked earlier this week to hear Burnsworth’s trial in four cases brought in 2016 by the now-defunct East Bethlehem police department.
Charges include witness intimidation, simple assault, harassment, indecent assault, statutory sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and furnishing liquor to a minor.
Burnsworth is alleged to have sexually abused three girls on different occasions early that year. He also is accused of trying to keep a girl and her mother from testifying in an assault case that will also be part of the trial.
Lucas’ order Friday includes instructions for Burnsworth to be brought to court by sheriff’s deputies at 9:15 a.m. Monday, when he could enter a plea and be sentenced, rather than go to trial.
His trial had been set to begin Wednesday but was postponed until Tuesday of next week, with two alternate jurors to be picked the day before.
Burnsworth’s attorney, Joseph Francis, declined comment.
“It’s in all of the parties’ and in the court’s best interest that I not make a comment on this morning,” Francis said.