Wisconsin Man, Ex-pastor, Acquitted in High-Profile Child Sexual Assault Case

A former pastor has been acquitted of a child sexual assault charge in Madison. The jury reached their verdict after deliberating for about four hours.

A man named Robert Stine, aged 61, from Middleton, has been accused of committing two serious crimes of first-degree child sexual assault against a minor under the age of 13. He entered a plea of not guilty for both charges. The case was initially presented in 2023.

According to a statement given to News 3, Stine’s attorney, Christopher Van Wagner expressed gratitude for the jury’s careful examination of the evidence and their ultimate decision.

“My client expresses gratitude to everyone who supported him with their prayers throughout this case,” he said.

Stine served as a pastor at Midvale Baptist Church on Madison’s near west side, where the reported incident of sexual abuse occurred.

As per a previous investigation by News 3 Now, Stein’s license to run the church’s Kid’s Best childcare facility was revoked in June 2023. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and the Madison Police Department conducted the investigation.

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During the closing statements, Stine’s defense attorney raised doubts about the credibility of the young girl’s testimony, urging the jury to question its veracity.

“Test the truth of the vague, blurry claims that were remembered after a period of years. Did you hear the witness change some things on the stand?” said Christopher Van Wagner. 

Nevertheless, the prosecuting attorney maintained that the girl’s claim remains consistent.

“By presenting a clear and concise testimony, the state has successfully proven every aspect of the charges brought forth, as explained by the attorney during the closing statements,” the attorney stated.

During his testimony on Wednesday, Stine claimed to have only a vague recollection of the girl in question. He maintained his denial of any sexual assault.

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