Teenager Acquitted Of Sexual Assault

A Spokane County jury deliberated for two hours Thursday before acquitting a 17-year-old boy accused of sexually assaulting three young girls.

After a four-day trial, jurors agreed prosecutors hadn’t proven their case against Michael H. Dogherra.

Tried as an adult, he faced a 10-year prison sentence if convicted of first-degree child rape.

Prosecutors said Dogherra raped a 4-year-old girl, molested her 7-year-old sister and exposed himself to a 6-year-old child.

The attack allegedly occurred Aug. 15 in the back yard of Dogherra’s home in the Indian Trail neighborhood. The three children spent several hours that afternoon visiting Dogherra, who was baby-sitting his younger brother.

Dogherra, who has no criminal record, was arrested on Aug. 18 based on comments made by the children to their parents. , DataTimes