Jury finds central Arkansas doctor not guilty on 8 sexual assault counts; mistrial declared on others

11:20 P.M. UPDATE:

CONWAY — A Faulkner County jury late Tuesday found a Conway physician not guilty of eight counts of sexual assault. The jury couldn't make a decision on eight other counts, and a judge declared a mistrial on those charges.

The verdict followed a trial that began just over a week ago and that went to the jury Tuesday afternoon

Dr. Robert Rook, 63, was charged with six counts of third-degree sexual assault and 10 counts of second-degree sexual assault as a result of allegations by some of his former patients.

Rook testified in his own defense Monday.

— Debra Hale-Shelton

EARLIER:

The case of a central Arkansas doctor accused of sexually assaulting patients was turned over to the jury Tuesday afternoon.

In Faulkner County Circuit Court over the last week, jurors have heard from Robert Rook's attorney, who argued that accusers had no physical evidence to convict his client but only accounts from behind closed doors.

Rook, a 63-year-old from Conway, faces 10 counts of sexual assault in the second-degree and six counts of sexual assault in the third degree, records show.

Prosecutors, meanwhile said the physician had clearly abused the trust of patients, reportedly telling them to put on gowns that were later at least partially removed without a nurse present. One patient who took the stand said her breasts were fondled during a 2015 visit to Rook's office.

The jury began deliberations about 3:30 p.m. Jurors chose to keep considering the case about 10 p.m.

— Rachel Herzog

Brandon Riddle of Arkansas Online contributed to this story.

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