Bell v. Commonwealth

MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT

Following a jury trial, the Larue Circuit Court convicted William Mark Bell of five counts of sexual abuse in the first-degree and one count of sodomy in the first-degree. He appeals the conviction as a matter of right. Ky. Const. § 110(2)(b). For the reasons set forth herein, we reverse the judgment.

The allegations against Bell were brought by K.T., his girlfriend’s daughter. The incidents of alleged sexual abuse occurred over a three-year period during which K.T. lived in a small trailer with her mother, Tammy Despain, and C.T., her sister. Bell also lived in…