A Brevard County Jury heard testimony and reviewed evidence in a trial lasting more than 3 weeks before finding JOSEPH PALLANTE III guilty of multiple life felonies overnight. Charges included Sexual Battery on a Child under 12, Sexual Battery by a Person with Familial Custody, and felony counts that included Lewd and Lascivious Molestation, and Possession of Child Pornography.

 

Hearing closing arguments of Assistant State Attorneys Justin Keen and Kathryn Speicher Tuesday evening, the jury returned their verdict shortly after 2:00 AM Wednesday morning. "We are grateful for the thoughtful and dedicated hard work of the jury" said Keen. "They understood the horrific abuse the victim had undergone and held the defendant responsible." With the jury convicting PALLANTE on more than 50 criminal counts including two that carry mandatory life sentences, Kathryn Speicher added, "He'll never have the opportunity to victimize another child."

 

Sentencing for PALLANTE is set for November 13th, 2017 at 10:30 AM in front of Judge David Dugan at the Moore Justice Center in Viera.