Hog farmer's criminal sex trial

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Seven jury members were picked Monday in Becker County District Court to serve in the Robert William Briard case.

In all, 12 jurors and two alternates will be selected in a process expected to last at least through Tuesday.

Becker County prosecutors in February charged the prominent local businessman and hog farmer with six counts of criminal sexual conduct.

Briard, 61, of 38501 County Road 56, Frazee, has been charged with two serious felony counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

By noon, three jurors had been selected, and several more potential jurors had been dismissed.

The charges were the result of an investigation that started after a woman contacted the sheriff’s department Aug. 25 to report he had allegedly had sexual contact with her in 1983 when she was under the age of 10, touching her under her clothing. Briard had a significant relationship with the girl.

Briard is also charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a serious felony, for alleged contact with another girl under the age of 10 in the summer of 2004.

The sheriff’s department received a complaint on the matter just over a year ago, on Oct. 15, 2007.

Briard also faces three gross misdemeanor charges of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly engaging in nonconsensual sexual contact with a woman over a four to five year period in various places in Becker County, according to court records.

District Judge Peter Irvine is presiding over the trial, which is being held at the Becker County Courthouse in Detroit Lakes.

er a four to five year period in various places in Becker County, according to court records.

District Judge Peter Irvine is presiding over the trial, which is being held at the Becker County Courthouse in Detroit Lakes.

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