The Chilly Specter of an Accused Pervert

But Doe's Feb. 26-28 appearances in court proved disastrous. Meyer, cutthroat in his style, embarrassed and confused the kid by often asking leading questions that provoked silence and, on occasion, tears. By the boy's second day of testimony, he'd stuck to his story about sex with Nielsen but admitted that he'd lied about some small details (like where he'd been picked up for their last rendezvous) to both social workers and later to a police detective.

Parading around the courtroom, a smirking Meyer asked him why he'd lied. Doe looked down, pursed his lips, shook his head slowly. "I don't know," he finally said.

Meyer accused Doe of being an actor.

"No, I have a learning disability," the boy fired back, clearly agitated.

Jurors did not appear to sympathize with the witness. One member of the panel even rolled his eyes, and another looked at the ceiling. If the trial ended now, it's highly probable that Meyer has successfully introduced reasonable doubt about his client's guilt.

See all of R. Scott Moxley's coverage on the Jeffrey Nielsen case:

Boy Crazy
The sad chronicles of a man who wants a boy to love him
Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Accused GOP Pedophile Ties DA to Blackmail Plot
Jeff Nielsen says 'mentored' seventh-grade boy sought apology, $100,000
Wednesday, October 4, 2006

"Our Thing"
New molestation allegation dogs arrested conservative activist
Thursday, September 28, 2006

NAMBLA Fantasy
Republican activist Jeff Nielsen says he didn't know the object of his affection was a 14-year-old boy
Thursday, October 6, 2005

rscottmoxley@ocweekly.com