Orlando jury clears man after hearing sleepwalking defense

The Associated Press

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ORLANDO, Fla. --
An Orlando man says he was sleepwalking when he inappropriately touched a girl in 2006.

Lawyers for 28-year-old Justin Cox say he had a history of the disorder. The jurors believed the defense. He was cleared Thursday of all charges of lewd and lascivious acts.

A doctor who evaluated him testified that Cox was sleepwalking at the time of the attack. The doctor also said Cox has a family history of the disorder and Cox has sleepwalked since he was a child.

One night in 2006, Cox returned to a friend's house after a night of partying. He told the jury he woke up on the couch where the 12-year-old girl was sleeping. She had told police he fondled her and that she had tried to wake him up.

Cox says he's going to seek treatment for his sleepwalking.

Information from: Orlando Sentinel, http://www.orlandosentinel.com

 

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