This presentation delves into the harrowing case of how Defendant, Averil Cardwell, with the help of his wife of 50 years Louise Cardwell, perpetrated a cycle of generational sexual abuse on multiple family members and friends over the course of 40 years. Cardwell’s wife voluntarily assisted him in manipulating and luring in victims, allowing Cardwell to effortlessly use his role as an EMT, loving father and grandfather, and devoted church member to earn the trust of unsuspecting victims and their families. In an all-too-common scenario, the abuse was initially ignored and minimized, allowing Cardwell to find numerous victims over the following years, including his own family members. During their investigation, detectives learned of Cardwell’s many victims and discovered a trove of child sexual abuse material on Cardwell’s devices. We will discuss trial strategies, evidentiary rulings and how to effectively and persuasively present sensitive materials to a jury. We will explore how sexual abuse inflicted across generations leaves a lasting web of emotional, physical and psychological damage, not only for the survivors, but also for their loved ones.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will have a better understanding of evidence, trial presentation, and arguments on child sexual abuse and child sexual abuse materials in jury trials.
Participants will understand strategy as it relates to admissibility and presentation of extraneous offenses, specifically as it relates to child sexual abuse materials.
Participants will understand best practices in investigating cases with limited evidence by combing through historical evidence, tracking down potential witnesses and utilizing search warrants effectively.
.jpg "Andrew Padrutt photo")
