Today is the second day of the trial of Manuel Allen Silva, 44, 1951 Beechwood Ave., who was charged on a Union County warrant for two counts of third-degree sexual abuse 11:12 a.m. Aug. 25, 2015, at Union County Law Enforcement Center.
Jury selection for the trial occurred Tuesday at Union County Courthouse and ran faster than anticipated, so that opening statements were read the same day. Today, evidence will be submitted for the case.
The last witness is scheduled to testify Monday; however, depending on the timeline of the trial, that witness could be on the stand Friday. After the last witness, closing arguments will be read and the jury will adjourn to discuss a verdict.
Background
According to a Creston Police report, after a female victim was at his home in May 2015, he gave her a beverage that made her “groggy” and Silva then sexually assaulted her with his hands and forced her to sexually contact him with her hands.
According to the report, the events were reported to law enforcement and blood and urine samples were taken from the victim. Urinalysis resulted in the discovery of a benzodiazepine in the victim’s body, which she was not taking at the time of the alleged assault.
In June 2015, a subpoena was served and it was discovered Silva’s wife had been prescribed a benzodiazepine. It was also discovered during the investigation Silva had access to his wife’s medication.
Silva was released on $20,000 bond.
Silva also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit second-degree theft in 2006. This came after he and another person participated in a theft scheme while Silva was Union County Economic Development Association director from August 2002 to August 2004.