Accuser Testifies Against Philly Cop Charged With Child Rape
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The alleged victim was testifying on Monday against a former Philadelphia police officer charging with raping her for years, beginning when she was just 12 years old. The victim is now 25.
The victim says she had called defendant Tyrone Wiggins her mentor, "godfather," even "father" at times. He was her karate instructior, a family friend, and a police officer.
But she has testified that all of that covered the abuse that began with a pornographic movie, and then sexual contact in his van, and continued, sometimes several times a week, for years (see previous story).
But the defense is trying to undermine the woman's credibility, citing inconsistencies in her testimony and earlier statements, her failure to come forward for nearly a decade, and highlighting a tape recording of her and the defendant in which she admits selling drugs.
She says the tape was staged -- she didn't sell drugs -- and that Wiggins made her do it so should couldn't leave him.
Wiggins, who has pleaded not guilty, is expected take the witness stand later this week.
Reported by Tony Hanson, KYW Newsradio 1060.
