Relatives Testify in Music Teacher Molestation Trial

Leslie Kinney, Mark Kinney's sister, took the stand at the El Cajon courthouse Thursday in her brother's trial on child molestation and pornography charges.

She said she had concerns for a while about her brother's relationship with one of the three girls involved in the case, based on her observations of their interactions and things the girl had told her.

Kinney, a former Wynola resident, faces 47 years to life in prison if convicted on all 10 charges related to inappropriate touching of girls under age 14, creation of obscene material and possession of child pornography on his computer. The case was filed in December 2009. The events are reported to have occurred over nine years.

Kinney, a musician and private music instructor, is out on bail and is currently living in Barstow, where he grew up and where his father lives. 

Prosecutor Timothy Campen also called members of Kinney's extended family to the stand Thursday. They told the court that at times they considered Kinney might have been spending too much time alone with the young girls and doing activities with them, such as playing in a swimming pool, which involved a lot of touching. The relatives stated that they felt Kinney might be acting in a way that could appear inappropriate to other adults.

Defense attorney David Cohn said he has not found the case against Kinney compelling enough to decide to put his client on the stand, though that is a possibility. If Kinney takes the stand, Cohn said he might call character references to testify.

Kinney is not teaching music to children while the case is under way, but he continues to work with adults, Cohn said. He said Kinney is doing "odd jobs" and going between Barstow and another residence in Borrego Springs.

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