A young offender

Linda "Susie" Arnett, John Couey's cousin, told jurors that she woke up to find Couey on top of her when he was around 10 years old. He was trying to take off her underwear.

Arnett told her mom what had happened, and Couey was sent to live with other relatives.

Though she was startled at the time, Arnett said she was never afraid of Couey.

Even as he got older "he reminded me of a little puppy," Arnett said. "He was still a child. Mentally, he was still a child."

-- Elena Lesley