Former Philly Officer Charged With Child Rape Takes The Stand
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A former Philadelphia police officer and karate instructor, charged with raping a victim for years beginning when she was twelve, took the witness stand Wednesday on his own behalf.
Tyrone Wiggins, 51, categorically denied he ever raped or sexually assaulted the woman, who is now 25. He says she was a star karate student and he treated her like a daughter.
But he says that when he disclosed that she had allegedly sold drugs to prevent her from joining the police department, she threatened to "mess up" his career.
His proof of drug dealing was an audio tape that she alleges was coered and fabricated to keep her from leaving him (see related story).
And during the cross-examination, at times combative, Wiggins admitted that he had helped her get a gun and a security job even after she had allegedly sold drugs.
