David Buckler remains in prison, but not as a child molester.

A Buchanan County jury on Tuesday evening found Mr. Buckler innocent on four counts of allegedly molesting his then-girlfriend's 8-year-old daughter.

Public defender Merle Turner made a closing argument that not only suggested that the girl made up the allegations, but also why. However, in doing so, she emphasized Mr. Buckler's own anger problems and history of physical violence with the girl's mother.

"(The girl) had tried, but no one had paid enough attention to take the kids away from that horrible household," Ms. Turner argued. "... She comes up with a story. She makes it seem like part of David's routine at night was to go by and grope her ... She was pulling the best ace out of the deck."

Mr. Buckler testified on the stand, denying the allegations. He also faced questions about his 10 prior criminal convictions, including stealing, drug possession and assault.

One conviction was for striking the girl's mother. He served 45 days in jail for that crime, and upon release, he said he moved straight back into the woman's house.

He's been in prison for theft since 2006. He testified that he and the mother remained in touch for a couple of months.

Ms. Turner suggested that the girl was worried her mother still was not going to leave Mr. Buckler, so she came forward with the allegations.

"What a way to finally drive a wedge between her mother and David Buckler," Ms. Turner said.

Prosecutor Pam Blevins argued that the defense's timeline was wrong - that the mother and Mr. Buckler had stopped talking months before the girl came forward. She explained that it's common for children to fear their abuser, which explains why she didn't come forward until Mr. Buckler was in prison.

"Who are you going to believe, (a child) who disclosed sexual abuse or a man with multiple convictions?" Ms. Blevins said. "... She was sexually abused, and she didn't tell until she was safe."

Joe Blumberg can be reached at joeblumberg@npgco.com.