Former girlfriend and son testify in local man’s sexual abuse trial
Published at | Updated at
IDAHO FALLS – The former girlfriend and son of a man accused of sex crimes testified on his behalf.
William Ellwood is charged with sexually molesting a girl from the time she was 9-years-old to when she was 14. Hilda Woodling, Ellwood’s former girlfriend, and Zach Ellwood, 18, a child Woodling and Ellwood have in common, were called by the defense to testify on Ellwood’s behalf.
Woodling said she and Ellwood had been together for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007. During that time, they had three children together.
“He is a great father,” Woodling said. “My kids love him and he’s always there for them. They look up to him.”
She said she has no concern about Ellwood being a danger to the daughter they have together or to other children.
RELATED: Mother of victim testifies in trial of man accused of sex crimes
When defense attorney Allen Browning asked if Woodling had any reason to believe Ellwood was a child molester she said she did not.
Ellwood’s son, Zach, allegedly delayed his entrance into the United States Marine Corps to have the opportunity to testify at his father’s hearing.
Zach said he had never seen Ellwood and the victim behind closed doors together to have private talks.
“If he had any discussion to do with anyone he, actually, would prefer to do it in public so, they’d know that he wasn’t joking around and not messing around with them,” Zach said. “So, they’d know not to do it again.”
RELATED: Trial begins for I.F. man charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse
Ellwood has children of his own, as well as children with the victim’s mother. The victim’s mother also has children of her own from a previous relationship.
Zach said Ellwood was more strict, in regards to punishment, with his own . The victim’s mother would get upset when Ellwood attempted to punish her children, Zach said.
“He’d be more disciplined towards us,” he said. “Especially because he raised us with certain expectations. If we went aside of those he’d be disappointed.”
Zach said part of his decision to join the Marine Corps was to make his father proud of him.
Ellwood is expected to take the stand and give testimony Friday.