A district judge has dismissed charges that a University of Utah physical therapist sexually abused a Layton woman who suffers from muscular dystrophy.
After three days of testimony before a 3rd District Court jury, Judge David Young granted a "directed verdict" and essentially dismissed the forcible sexual abuse charge against Kent Allsop, 50, of Bountiful.Allsop was charged with the second-degree felony after prosecutors accused him of taking indecent sexual liberties with a 25-year-old woman during therapy sessions at the U. Medical Center in April 1987. Allsop pleaded not guilty to the charge and has denied the allegations.
Before the jury heard closing arguments and instructions, defense attorney Philip Fishler made a motion for the directed verdict based on insufficient evidence, and the judge granted it.
Bud Ellett, chief of the justice division of the county attorney's office, said he was surprised at the judge's decision.
A petition seeking sanction against Allsop's license by the state Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing was still pending, investigators said Friday.
Fishler and Allsop could not be reached for comment.