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Doctor’s Sex Assault Trial Goes to Jury

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Closing arguments took place on Wednesday morning in the sexual assault trial of a former East Hartford doctor.

Dr. Edwin Njoku is charged with sexually assaulting several female patients and is on trial for one of those cases.

Prosecutors told jurors that Njoku forcibly raped the victim, identified in court by her initials A.D., and kissed her breasts during an exam for back pain at his East Hartford office in October 2011.

"The doctor thought he had A.D. under control. He obviously didn't think she'd report what happened," prosecutor Vicki Melchiorre said.

Defense attorney Norm Pattis questioned whether there's enough physical evidence and whether the alleged victim and other witnesses were credible enough during the trial to convict Njoku of the crimes.

"If you have reasonable doubt about what happened, you must acquit. I am begging you to follow the law," Pattis said.

The defense claims that Njoku was the victim and that the patient made sexual advances toward him, including rubbing up against and grabbing his private area to get another prescription for pain medication.

"She was at the doctor's office looking for something. Whether she was looking for love in all the wrong places, you decide," Pattis said.

Two other patients who claim Njoku touched them inappropriately during exams also testified during the trial.

"Obviously this man took advantage of his position as a doctor to abuse his most vulnerable patients,"  Melchiorre said.

Njoku is charged with first degree sexual assault, fourth degree sexual assault and tampering with evidence in the case.

Jury deliberations are expected to begin about 2 p.m.
 



Photo Credit: NBCConnecticut.com

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