Anti-abortion activist tried for molesting

MILTON, Fla., March 29 (UPI) -- Anti-abortion activist John Burt went on trial in Milton, Fla., Monday on charges of improperly touching a 15-year-old girl.

Burt, 66, well known in the Florida Panhandle for organizing anti-abortion protests, is accused of molesting the girl at a rest stop on Interstate 10 near Milton, WEAR-TV reported.

The girl was a resident of Our Father's House, a home for troubled teenage girls he operated.

Burt faces four counts of lewd and lascivious molestation and one count of lewd and lascivious conduct.

Assistant State Attorney Harmon Massey called the girl as a witness, but she is living with her family in Ireland.

Her father said he was afraid she might run away if she was made to come back to the Florida Panhandle and testify, but she agreed to answer questions via satellite transmissions. Her testimony is expected later in the week, after jury selection is completed.