Defense in Kufner case calls case "a living nightmare" and explains touching as Kufner requiring to change Jane Doe's pull ups and check on her

"Typically opening statements are brief," said Mr. Casey Russo, the Public Defender appointed to represent alleged child abuser John Kufner. "Mr. Curtis' statement was brief, mine will be longer." And it was, three times longer. "This is John Kufner. He is 62 years old."

"This case is about a false accusation made by John Doe that has resulted in his incarceration and heinous accusations. Mr. Kaufner is forced to defend himself in a living nightmare."

"You will hear from him. He will testify. He is a 62 year old man with no criminal record. A military veteran. " Mr. Russo said Kufner worked in the restaurant business, his health deteriorated. He did "small favors" for tenants in Mckinleyville Trailer Park.

"Jane Doe's dad died in 2010-2011. J.D., Jane Doe's mom was out doing meth and heroin. She had substance abuse and mental health issues. Father's health was deteriorating. He dies. Girls are left unattended in the the park, they spend time with friend' trailers, Mr. Kufner allows them to watch movies, eat popcorn, and other neighbor's children spend time in the trailer. It becomes a safe space for them. Father was trusting of Mr. Kufner. Mom ends up with the kids."

"Mom is taking kids to various motels with various men, making them call these men dad, exposing them to meth. Girls are taken from mom through CWS process due to severe neglect.CWS approached Mr. Kufner. Girls were living with him. He did not approach them. They did background checks. He has an adult son. Been a long time since he has kids."

"Despite having CASA advocates, social workers, Jane Doe never made allegations. Girls are getting better in school. Jane Doe suffered from bed wetting.  Something that happened before she moved in with Mr. Kufner. She wore pull ups to bed, didn't like to change in the middle of the night. It did require Mr. Kufner to check her and change her."

"Mom cleans herself up, gets involved in reunification. Girls are afraid to go back to mom. Mr. Kufner has concerns. J.D and Mr. Kufner's relationship becomes contentious. Children and mom go back to MAC Center. No allegations of sexual abuse. In February 2014, who made the allegations, when, no one knows, not in report. It was never investigated." The "never investigated" is  shades of the Bodhi Tree defense strategy creeping in, Mr. Russo represented Tree. "Law enforcement spent very little time." Shoddy police work mentioned.

Mr. Russo called "Jane Doe #1 a very troubled girl with a very troubled background."

Mr Russo went as far as to say, "The girls asked him to sleep with them." He added, "He will admit to 1 time he woke up with an erection."

"Despite two hours of intense interrogation, he denies any lewd and lasvicious touching."