A Maine man who accused the founder of a Haitian orphanage of child abuse and was hit with a defamation lawsuit is defending himself in court by saying he was trying to protect poor and vulnerable children.
Orphanage founder Michael Geilenfeld and Raleigh, North Carolina-based Hearts with Haiti brought the civil lawsuit against Paul Kendrick.
Kendrick accused Geilenfeld of molesting boys. Kendrick took the witness stand for the first time Thursday, two days after lawyers gave opening statements.
Maine Public Broadcasting Network (http://bit.ly/1LUThQo ) reports Kendrick and his attorney are making the case the trial will vindicate the boys' accounts of sexual abuse.
Geilenfeld's lawyers blame Kendrick for Geilenfeld's arrest in Haiti last year. A judge cleared Geilenfeld of any crime. Haiti's justice minister has said the verdict was improperly reached and there will be additional proceedings.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.