Appeals court orders new trial for child molestation suspect

The Missouri Court of Appeals Western District on Tuesday overturned a Boone County jury verdict and ordered a new trial for a man serving an eight-year sentence for child molestation.

A jury found Timothy McWilliams guilty of first-degree child molestation in March 2017 after his December 2014 arrest. The alleged victim was 8 years old at the time of his trial.

The appeals court on Tuesday reversed the jury’s decision, writing that the trial court allowed improper testimony about the reliability of the alleged victim as a witness. No date has been set for a retrial, according to online court records.

Boone County prosecutor Tracy Gonzalez said she can’t comment on the case because of the pending trial.

Sign up for email news alerts by clicking here