A jury has found Richard Higgs guilty on counts of Sexual Battery by an Authority Figure and Incest after he assaulted two young members of his family. According to prosecutors, the abhorrent acts happened back in July 2019 when Higgs molested a 14-year-old and subsequently raped her 12-year-old sister who tried to help.
The trial, wrapping up this past Friday, featured testimony from an array of ten witnesses over the course of a week. Among them were a crisis nurse and a TBI serologist. After the State laid out its case, the jury returned with a verdict in under an hour. "Testifying against a family member is never easy for victims," Special Victims Unit prosecutor Gavin Smith told the Shelby County District Attorney's Office.
The ordeal began when Higgs attacked the older girl in a bathroom. As her younger sister tried to come to her rescue by knocking on the bathroom door, the elder victim managed to break free. However, her sister then fell prey to Higgs' heinous actions. They promptly informed their mother who called the authorities, setting the wheels of justice in motion.
Higgs, now convicted, is facing a hefty sentence for his crimes—ranging between a minimum of 25 years to a maximum of 60 years, required to be served at 100 percent. The sentencing is on the books for July 5, offering a measure of closure and justice to the affected family. "We're relieved they received the justice they deserve and hope they can now begin to heal," ADA Dru Carpenter reflected on the case's resolution, as reported by Shelby County District Attorney's Office.
