Conviction For Molesting 2 Girls At Deaf School Reversed

BALTIMORE (AP) -- The state's second-highest court has reversed the conviction of a Maryland School for the Deaf aide accused of molesting two girls because he wasn't allowed to question an American Sign Language interpreter who assisted police.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Court of Special Appeals ruled Wednesday in the case involving Clarence Taylor of Baltimore. Howard County state's attorney's spokesman Wayne Kirwan says the state plans to appeal.

The appellate court found that Taylor was denied his constitutional right to cross-examine the interpreter at his 2013 trial.

Taylor, who is deaf, testified the interpreter incorrectly translated his statements.

Taylor was convicted of sexually abusing two girls who said he had surreptitiously touched their breasts or buttocks. He was acquitted in another case, and the jury deadlocked in four others.

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