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Minn. Supreme Court Considers Dying Man's Appeal

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Nov 9, 2009 8:50 pm US/Central

Minn. Supreme Court Considers Dying Man's Appeal

ST. PAUL (AP) ― The Minnesota Supreme Court is considering arguments that a dying man didn't get a fair trial in Dakota County in a sexual abuse case in 2007.

The attorney for 70-year-old Paul R. Hakala of Rosemount made his case Monday morning.

Hakala was originally convicted of charges related to the sexual abuse of three girls under 14 he knew in Dakota County and sentenced to 165 months.

However, the state Appeals Court threw out the conviction in March. It ruled Hakala should have been able to present expert testimony challenging the technique of the social worker who interviewed the girls.

On Monday, prosecutors asked Supreme Court to reinstate the sentence, saying the trial judge was correct to exclude Hakala's expert.

Hakala says he's innocent and the girls made up the allegations.

Information from: Star Tribune

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