No verdict after Day 2 of deliberations in foster dad abuse trial
Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu, of Ridge, is on trial after being accused of sexually abusing children in his care. Jury deliberations are scheduled to continue Wednesday in Riverhead. Credit: Suffolk County District Attorney
The jury in the Cesar Gonzales-Mugaburu trial on Tuesday completed its second day of deliberations without reaching a verdict on sexual abuse and other charges against the former foster father from Ridge.
The panel of six women and six men deliberated for a full day Tuesday in Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, making two requests.
In their first note, jurors asked Suffolk County Court Judge Barbara Kahn for the dates when one of the alleged victims lived in Gonzales-Mugaburu’s house.
In the second note, they wanted to know the difference between “course of sexual conduct and predatory sexual assault,” and asked the judge to define both charges.
Gonzales-Mugaburu, 60, is accused of sexually abusing six boys between 1996 and 2016 when the children came to Ridge to live with him as his foster sons.
The 17-count indictment against Gonzales-Mugaburu also included charges he endangered the welfare of two other boys, and sexual misconduct that involved a family dog.
Gonzales-Mugaburu, who was arrested Jan. 20, 2016, has pleaded not guilty.
The jury is scheduled to resume deliberations Wednesday.
Sarra Sounds Off, Ep. 15: LI's top basketball players On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," Newsday's Gregg Sarra and Matt Lindsay take a look top boys and girls basketball players on Long Island.
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