MANCHESTER, N.H. — A jury in New Hampshire delivered a guilty verdict on Tuesday against a former staff member at a youth detention facility, finding him complicit in the rape of a teenager that occurred back in 1998.
Bradley Asbury, now 70 years old, was convicted of two counts of accomplice to aggravated sexual assault. He could face up to 20 years in prison for each count. The jury reached a verdict after deliberating for three days following a trial that spanned four days.
Asbury served as a house leader at the Sununu Youth Services Center in Manchester, where he was accused of physically restraining a 14-year-old boy, Michael Gilpatrick, while another staff member sexually assaulted him. Two other staff members were also implicated in the incident, with one forcing the teen into a sexual act.
This trial marked the second criminal case resulting from a comprehensive investigation initiated in 2019 that uncovered patterns of abuse at the facility. Asbury was among 11 former employees arrested as part of the investigation.
The testimony of Gilpatrick, now 41, played a crucial role in the case. He shared his long-standing struggle with the trauma from the incident and expressed that testifying had been an essential part of his healing.
Gilpatrick emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable and recounted feeling detached during the assault. “I can see it happening, but I can’t do anything,” he described, recalling, “I was just not there. But there.”
After the verdict, an emotional Gilpatrick embraced family members and expressed gratitude, stating, “God is good, and the truth prevailed. And I was believed,” as he exited the courthouse.
In contrast, Asbury appeared to be in disbelief as he was escorted away in handcuffs. He thanked his supporters while his attorney, David Rothstein, left without making any remarks. Asbury will remain in custody until his sentencing set for January.
State Assistant Attorney General Adam Woods commented on the outcome, hoping it would provide some solace to the victim. He pointed out that despite Gilpatrick’s imperfect memory of some details, the core facts had remained consistent throughout the years.
During cross-examination, tensions ran high, with Gilpatrick engaging in passionate exchanges, even labeling Rothstein as a “sick man.” In closing arguments, Rothstein apologized if he caused any upset during the proceedings. He suggested that Gilpatrick had fabricated accusations, arguing that there were no eyewitnesses or solid evidence to substantiate the claims.
The defense asserted that Gilpatrick had altered his narrative over the years, motivated by financial gain, citing that he had previously received over $146,000 and was expecting more from related civil proceedings.
On the prosecutorial side, Woods stressed that instead of supporting Gilpatrick through guidance, the accused staff members, including Asbury, betrayed his trust.
Earlier this year, a case against another former staff member, Victor Malavet, ended in a mistrial due to a deadlocked jury regarding allegations of a separate assault case at the facility. The timeline for a retrial in that case is not yet set.
The ongoing investigation has triggered a wave of civil lawsuits, with over 1,100 former residents alleging various forms of abuse over a span of six decades. In a landmark civil trial, a jury awarded $38 million to David Meehan earlier this year for his claims of abuse during the 1990s, though the state is currently contesting the amount, seeking to lower it significantly.
Note that identifying the individuals involved in sexual assault cases is commonly reserved for those who come forward publicly, as is the case with Meehan and Gilpatrick.
