Jury selection starts in Yuba County molestation trial

A jury trial kicked off Tuesday in a case involving an Olivehurst man charged with repeatedly molesting a 12-year-old family member beginning in 2010.

Anthony Todd Paine has pleaded not guilty to a single felony count of continuous sexual abuse of a child.

Jury selection began Tuesday morning in Yuba County Superior Court under the supervision of Judge Julia L. Scrogin.

Paine, 47, was arrested in May 2011 and charged with groping the victim multiple times between September 2010 and April 2011, according to court records.

Yuba County sheriff's investigators said Paine abused the girl regularly during her weekend visits to his home on Derek Drive.

Detectives said the abuse occurred while the girl slept on Paine's living room couch, according to a probable cause declaration.

Jury selection moved slowly, and authorities said the five-day trial could stretch into next week.

Teresa Sydow, deputy Yuba County district attorney, is prosecuting the case against Paine. The Olivehurst defendant is represented by Marysville defense attorney David Vasquez.

Paine remains free on bail.

CONTACT Rob Parsons at rparsons@appealdemocrat.com or 749-4785. Find him on Facebook at /ADcrimebeat or on Twitter at @ADcrimebeat.