NEW ORLEANS — A 39-year-old Covington woman faces life in prison after a jury took little more than a half-an-hour to convict her of aggravated rape and sexual battery on a child over several years time.
Sandra E. Gaines faces mandatory life in prison when she is formally sentenced on April 10.
Her longtime boyfriend, Robert Cardell Flowers, was convicted on the same charges and sentenced to life in prison in June 2015.
Prosecutors contended that Flowers and Gaines began touching the victim, now 18, sexually when she was five years old. The victim said the abuse continued until 2012.
Gaines’ attorneys conceded in court that the girl had been victimized by Flowers, but said Gaines was not involved.
After two days of testimony, the jury came back with a guilty verdict 38 minutes later.
“Listen to what you’ve heard. Your decision should be based on reason and common sense,” Assistant District Attorney Jay Adair told the jury. “Don’t leave your common sense in the jury box when you leave. You are required to take it with you when you deliberate.”
