(Spirit Lake)– Testimony resumed today this (Monday) morning in the trial of a former school bus driver for the Okoboji Community School District accused of sexually abusing a student. Steven Titterington was charged with 3rd degree sexual abuse and sexual exploitation by a school official in connection with the alleged incidents.
Dickinson County Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Griese who investigated the case testified of interviews he conducted with the alleged victim, her mother and step father and other possible witnesses to the alleged incidents. Under cross examination by defense attorney Chris Sandy, Deputy Griese admitted to not recording all of those interviews. He also testified that he volunteered as a special investigator in the sheriff’s office to be in charge of investigations of this nature, adding that no special training or certification was needed. The deputy added that was the first case of that nature he’s handled in that capacity. The deputy, under cross examination by the defense, admitted to finding discrepancies between the school bus route information provided by school officials and that given by the alleged victim.
Okoboji Superintendent Todd Abrahamson testified that at the time, two of the district’s buses had cameras, but not the one on which the incidents are alleged to have occurred.
Shannon Knudsen, a sexual assault nurse examiner, testified on techniques used for grooming potential victims of sexual abuse, adding she had no information on this particular case.
The state then rested its case. The defense then made a motion for direct acquittal, which was denied.
Testimony resumes this (Mon.) afternoon with the defense calling its first witness to the stand.
