Home improvement personality on trial in Old Lyme child molestation case
Jury selection began Monday in New London Superior Court in the case of a home improvement television show personality accused of molesting a 10-year-old girl at his home in Old Lyme.
Christopher Dionne, 37, of 4 Village Lane, has pleaded not guilty to risk of injury to a minor and fourth-degree sexual assault. He turned down a plea offer and opted for a jury trial.
Dionne appeared with his twin brother on one episode of HGTV's "Family Flip." Taping for a show called "House Rescue" for A&E was suspended due to his arrest, according to online reports.
The married father of two is accused of touching the alleged victim under her pants and shirt and taking photos of her with her shirt up while she was sleeping on a living room couch during a sleepover at his home on Nov. 26, 2017.
Dionne said he arrived home from the Rabbit Hole bar in Old Saybrook about 1:30 a.m. and sat down next to the child when he saw her awake on the couch. He claims she began to rub his stomach, and he told her it was inappropriate.
While free on a $100,000 bond and awaiting trial, Dionne was charged additionally with violation of a protective order after the alleged victim, now 11 years old, reported that Dionne repeatedly drove by a cul-de-sac where she, her brother and a friend were playing on April 11, 2019.
The girl told state police that Dionne drove by slowly four times and gave her "a stare and dirty looks." She said on the third pass, she saw Dionne's son take out a cellphone and start recording her, the friend and her brother. Dionne posted an additional $10,000 bond following the second arrest.
On Monday, Dionne sat with his attorney, Michael Dwyer, as Judge Barbara Bailey Jongbloed introduced the case to a panel of potential jurors. Two women sat behind him in the courtroom gallery.
Dwyer and prosecutor Theresa Anne Ferryman are expected to select six regular jurors and two alternates and argue several motions before testimony begins on June 18.
Ferryman told the jurors the alleged victim and her mother are expected to testify at the trial, along with state police, forensic examiners, Department of Children and Families staff and therapists.
Dionne's attorney listed a forensic scientist, investigator and his client's twin brother Michael as potential witnesses.
