Deaton, of New Lebanon, was on trial on charges having unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. On Wednesday, Deaton's wife, Diana, testified on his behalf even though she said she knows he had an affair with their teenage babysitter from their church. She does not dispute that her husband had an affair and neither does the defense.
The Deatons hired the girl in 2006 to do yard work, house work and babysit, but the big question in the case is when the affair begin.
The indictment specifically alleges that the inappropriate conduct happened when the girl was 15. However, the defense said Eric Deaton cannot be found guilty on that charge because the consensual sex did not start until the girl turned 16 in 2007.
Diana Deaton testified that her husband may have started to become emotionally close with the girl toward the end of her 15th year.
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