Teenage girl testifies in Minnesota attorney trial

Published 10:09 am Wednesday, July 23, 2014

MINNEAPOLIS — A teenage girl has testified in the trial of a northern Minnesota prosecutor accused of sexual misconduct.

Witnesses took the stand Tuesday in the trial of Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell in St. Louis County Court. The 47-year-old is charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for an alleged inappropriate relationship with the girl.

The 19-year-old testified that Scannell kissed and sexually touched her in 2012, when she was 17. She described him as a “father-figure” and a “mentor.”

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Scannell’s sister also testified that she overheard an inappropriate interaction between the two.

Scannell’s attorney said his client acted inappropriately but not criminally. He said Scannell will testify.

The girl’s family sought a restraining order against Scannell in late 2012. The parents said Scannell was a longtime family friend.