Day 1: The alleged victim testifies Day 2: Witness identifies Puckett Day 3: Puckett testifies Day 4: The defense rebuttal Day 5: Closing statements Your Voice Join the conversation with other MPR listeners in the News Forum.

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Puckett's accuser denies flashing incident
by Elizabeth Stawicki, Minnesota Public Radio
April 1, 2003

The alleged victim in the Kirby Puckett assault trial took the stand for a second time on Tuesday. She denied she caused her own bruises as the defense contends.

Minneapolis, Minn. — The victim, identified by initials K.L. in court documents, told jurors she did not "flash" other patrons in the bar by pulling down her T-shirt on the night of the alleged assault.

Three of K.L.'s friends also testified again Tuesday. They said they did not see K.L. expose her breast that night, but also acknowledged they weren't with K.L. the entire evening. One friend, Jaime Lindgren, said she "would've been very embarrassed" if K.L. had exposed herself that night. K.L. claims Puckett caused bruises on her arm, ankle and breast when he allegedly dragged her against her will and groped her in a men's bathroom at the Redstone American Grill last September.

Puckett is charged with false imprisonment, a felony; fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor; and fifth-degree assault, a misdemeanor.

Hennepin County Assistant Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Kathryn Berg told jurors Tuesday that K.L.'s arm bruise was consistent with being grabbed; her ankle bruise consistent with holding onto a door jam; and her bruise on her breast could've been caused by a fingertip. Berg said it was "highly unlikely" that K.L. caused the bruise by the action of pulling down her own shirt.

But Berg acknowledged under cross examination that she formed an opinion on K.L.'s bruises before she saw photos of K.L.'s bruising. Berg said she formed the opinion after reading the reports of two physicians who examined K.L. days after the alleged attack. She also said it's possible that K.L.'s bruises could've been caused by other ways but didn't give examples.

The defense called one rebuttal witness, who said he saw K.L. pull her shirt down. Rohit Shirole, identified K.L. as the woman. Defense attorney Chris Madel asked Rohit if he was sure it was the alleged victim. "Without a doubt," he said.

Puckett testified Monday that K.L. left the bathroom after seeing vomit in one of the men's room stalls. Redstone manager, Eric Jansen said it's restaurant policy that restaurant staff check the stalls every 15 to 20 minutes and he was not informed that anyone had thrown up in the men's bathroom. He didn't know, however, whether staff followed that policy the night of the alleged attack.

Prosecutor Al Harris is expected to tell jurors during closing statements on Wednesday that over three days of testimony support K.L.'s claim that Puckett dragged and groped her in a restaurant men's room last September.

Puckett denies the charges. His attorney, B. Todd Jones, is expected to remind the panel of Puckett's testimony that the alleged victim asked Puckett to escort her into the men's room. The case is likely to go to the jury Wednesday. Jurors will be sequestered until they reach a verdict. If convicted on all counts, the Twins Hall of Famer could face up to a year in jail.

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