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Strampel found guilty of misconduct in office

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LANSING, Mich. — A jury has decided the fate for William Strampel.

They announced in front of Judge Draganchuk on Wednesday morning that William Strampel was guilty of misconduct in office and guilty of willful neglect of duty, but not guilty of criminal sexual conduct.

On Tuesday, the jury was left to make a decision for four hours and no verdict.

Deliberations continued on Wednesday morning for about an hour and a half.

Both sides made their closing arguments in front of the jury on Tuesday.

The prosecution mirrored their opening statements, talking about power and corruption.

Danielle Hagaman-Clark, the Assistant Attorney General said, ""When we started two weeks ago, I told you a story about how absolute power corrupts absolutely. Over the last week and a half, I've presented the evidence in this case to demonstrate that the defendant had absolute power and control over these women when they were students at MSU COM."

The Assistant A.G. adding that Strampel never mentioned the relevance of the physical exams he performed on two witnesses.

"She was uncomfortable when his fingers were inside her vagina and he locked eye with her. Why was he doing that? I submit to you that there was no other reason for him to do that other than his own sexual gratification."

The defense, using testimony saying that Strampel always used sexually inappropriate language, even in front of his wife.

Adding that in this case, using foul language with a state was not out of the ordinary.

His lawyer, John Dakmak said, "All we're left with is locker room talk, bawdy talk, ribald talk, maybe offensive to some people, maybe not to others, not politically correct talk, and each one of these students gets to move forward."

He added that there was no direct solicitation or follow up from Strampel.

Hagaman-Clark countered by stating that the fact that Strampel said those things while in a professional setting should make him guilty.

"Why should they have to listen to that? They're simply trying to become doctors. They should not have to put up with that in order to become doctors."

Sentencing is set for July 31 at 8:30 AM.

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