Ex-Delaware pediatrician Bradley found guilty

Security was tight and the courtroom was packed as former pediatrician Earl Bradley appeared in court to learn the verdict from Superior Court Judge William Carpenter. 

Bradley waived his right to a jury trial earlier this spring and opted for a bench trial, which lasted just one day June 7th in Georgetown.  As correctional officers positioned themselves between Bradley and the gallery, the verdict was announced.

Judge Carpenter found Bradley guilty on all 24 counts against him, stemming from his December 2009 arrest on charges he sexually abused more than 100 of his young patients.

Bradley now stands convicted of 14 counts of first-degree rape, five counts of second- degree assault and five counts of criminal exploitation of a child.

The exploitation charge stems from the videos that were seized from Bradley’s office in Lewes, which according to detectives, depicted Bradley engaging in sexual offenses with children.

The hearing lasted less than 10 minutes.  Bradley sat hunched over wearing a gray prison jumpsuit and said nothing during the proceeding.

Judge Carpenter order a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for Aug. 26.

The defense put up no case in Bradley’s one-day trial held June 7. They are basing their case on an appeal where they will contend that the videos were seized from Bradley’s Lewes office complex without the proper warrants.

Prosecutors and Attorney General Beau Biden would not comment afterwards, citing the judge’s gag order which remains in place until after the sentencing.  Defense attorney Dean Johnson also would not say anything about their appeal.