Deliberations Begin in Scannell Case

DULUTH, Minn. (AP) — The case of a northern Minnesota prosecutor accused of sexual misconduct with a teenage girl has gone to the jury.

WDIO-TV reports jurors deliberated about three hours before breaking Thursday night.

Cook County Attorney Tim Scannell is charged with two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 17-year-old girl.

Prosecuting attorney Tom Heffelfinger argued Scannell abused a position of authority when he kissed and allegedly touched the girl during drives they took in 2012.

Defense attorney Joe Tamburino says Scannell was never directly given — or charged with — any parental responsibilities over the girl, making the acts distasteful and immoral but not illegal.

The girl's family sought a restraining order against Scannell in 2012. The parents say Scannell was a longtime family friend.