Parties Deliver Closing Arguments in Jury Trial for Former RPD Officer and Coach

Rochester: The trial for Timothy Morgenstern, a former police officer and high school coach, just wrapped up. He’s facing serious charges, including third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The case revolves around an alleged encounter with a 16-year-old girl he coached on the speech team back in 2022.

During the trial, the prosecution brought in several witnesses, including the girl and investigators. They painted a picture of how the relationship developed through texts and social media. The prosecutor, Brett Corson, emphasized that Morgenstern was in a position of authority and had a close bond with the girl.

On the flip side, Morgenstern’s lawyer argued that there was no solid evidence against him. He pointed out that police didn’t find any incriminating texts or DNA linking Morgenstern to the girl. The defense claimed that the only evidence came from the girl herself, which they suggested could be questionable.

Morgenstern’s dad even testified about his son’s phone location, saying it didn’t leave home during the time of the alleged incident. After hearing all the arguments, the jury started deliberating but hadn’t reached a verdict by the end of the day. It’s a tense situation, and everyone’s waiting to see what happens next.