DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Supreme Court is considering an appeal by a former pediatrician serving three years in prison for abusing his female companion's daughter, including "waterboarding" the girl by holding her head under a faucet.
Melvin Morse is challenging his conviction on several grounds, including a judge's decision allowing jurors, during deliberations, to review videotapes of unsworn statements the victim and her younger sister gave to authorities.
Morse's attorney also argued Wednesday that the judge erred in allowing jurors to consider evidence of several other "bad acts" for which Morse was not charged. The defense claims the cumulative evidence inflamed jurors and unfairly prejudiced Morse, while prosecutors argued that it was used to show his motivation and intent in disciplining the child.
Morse was convicted in February 2014.
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