July 30, 2012

Maine high court upholds hypnotist sex charge

The Associated Press

AUGUSTA  — Maine's high court has upheld the conviction of a Jay man who sexually assaulted a girl he hypnotized.

The Supreme Judicial Court last week rejected the defense arguments of 39-year-old Aaron Patton, who was sentenced to six years in prison last year after being found guilty of charges including gross sexual assault.

Authorities say the victim began hypnotism treatments with Patton when she was 8 to help her break a fingernail-biting habit. The girl testified Patton began touching her inappropriately when she was 12 and had sex with her starting when she was 14.

After each sexual encounter, she said he hypnotized her so she would keep the relationship secret.

The Sun Journal reports that the high court rejected several defense arguments.

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