Repeated molestations go unpunished; family shocked and amazed
By: David Mullenax
An appalling plea deal was offered by an emergency- appointed prosecutor to Bainbridge Island millionaire, David Nusbaum. He spent less than a year in prison, and was offered the deal moments before the trial was set to begin.
Less than a year ago, Nusbaum was charged with raping and molesting a 13-year-old girl. As details of the case emerged, prosecutors learned that the sexual assaults spanned a 7 year period. The helpless and victimized girl was first raped at the home of the accused when she was 6-years-old.
Prosecutors are certain that Nusbaum was guilty, but mysteriously lowered the rape charges to third-degree sexual assault with sexual motivation – reducing a potential 10-year prison sentence to eleven months with time served.
Deflecting criticism from children’s rights advocates and enraged parents, Kitsap County Prosecutor Russ Hauge addressed their concerns. “We are confident that he had inappropriate contact with that girl, that’s what the charges reflect, but that’s about all we can prove.”
Sources close to the investigation reject the deputy prosecutor’s announcement stating that the trial was already in motion, and the evidence of the case was solid – including a star witness (the victim) and forensic evidence.
Great preparation was taken by the legal team to prepare the young witness for the expected lengthy trial as prosecutors gently introduced her to the courtroom just days before the trial’s opening day. Prior to hearing the news that a plea deal was made, the young witness stated on numerous occasions that her testimony would be therapeutic and discussing the situation would help heal her psychological wounds.
Three days before the court date, the initial deputy prosecutor mysteriously informed the legal team that a family emergency had arisen. A new prosecutor was assigned to the team and immediately offered a plea agreement to the child sex-offender — leaving interested parties, and specifically the victim and her family, shocked and amazed.
Describing her feelings when watching the perpetrator walk free, the outraged mother said prosecutors stole something precious from her daughter. “This is a child who is brave enough to talk, she should have a chance.”
Detectives following the case, however, expressed the possibility that Nasbaum is a flight risk. Presently, the millionaire is wanted in several other states and his net-worth is estimated at $11 million.
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