Defendant In Extensive Ventura County Child Sexual Abuse Case Takes The Stand In His Own Defense, Again

Thursday January 16, 2025

     Updated--The defendant in an extensive Ventura County child sexual abuse case took the witness stand in his own defense Thursday.

     47-year-old Micah Smith of Calabasas did the same thing in 2023 at his first trial which ended with a mistrial because the jury was hopelessly deadlocked on reaching a verdict on any of the charges against him.

     The alleged victims, who are now adults, testified at the trials.

     Smith is facing a half dozen child sexual abuse charges and 30 special allegations.

     He has pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied all special allegations.

     While all of those involved are out of county residents, the alleged crimes are said to have happened in Ventura County.

     The jury in this retrial will likely get the case sometime next week.

     Smith remains in jail with bail set at more than $3 million.