By HOI ABC
BLOOMINGTON – Former McLean County piano teacher Aaron Parlier was found guilty on all 12 counts in his second trial, with the most serious conviction carrying an automatic life in prison.
Parlier’s second trial involved a second student for crimes that happened between 2005 and 2018.
In closing arguments, Parlier claimed that the victim was around 15 when he assaulted her. The victim testified that she was younger, around early middle school.
The prosecution also claimed the conviction from the last case proved a pattern of attraction to children.
Parlier admitted to all forms of assault in an interview with a detective, but he put her age at 15. That was of concern because the standard for the most serious offense, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, only applied if a victim was under the age of 13.
The defense said Parlier had no reason to lie about her age at the time of the interview because he would not have known his potential charges. The defense claimed he told the truth about other illegal acts.
Prosecutors said he did lie during the interview because he claimed there were no other victims.
They also said that Parlier minimized the number of times he assaulted the victim. Parlier claimed it was around four or five times. The victim said it was too many times to count. Prosecutors also said at some point, Parlier gave the victim a diamond engagement ring.
Aaron Parlier was already convicted for sexual assault of a child and received 450 years in prison.
Sentencing for the second case was set for 1:30 p.m. on July 8.
Parlier has four more trials pending for the remaining victims. The third trial is expected to be scheduled in May.
