According to the Eagle Times, Alan Wirkkala may still stand trial in October on at least one felony count of sexual assault charges after a jury’s split decisions last Friday.
The alleged assaults committed by Wirkkala took place between 1985 and 1987, then from 1987 to 1991, and involved an alleged victim between the ages of 5 and 12. On August 9, 2019, a 14 person jury at superior court found him not guilty. The group submitted two split decisions following the two day trial. A judge also dismissed three counts of felonious sexual assault based of language discrepancies.
The Newport, man has remained in jail without bail since his arrest last September.
Allegedly, Wirkkala faces at least 20 counts of felonious sexual assault against four children from the 80’s and 90’s. This new trial can occur because under NH law, charges that result in a hung jury can be brought forward for a new trial later on.
WNTK Local News 