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LAS VEGAS (AP) — A former storefront church pastor accused of sexually assaulting girls in his congregation under the guise of counseling has denied the allegations on the stand.
Otis Holland has pleaded not guilty to 17 felonies including child sexual assault, lewdness, and conspiracy to destroy evidence.
During testimony Wednesday, Holland offered to take a polygraph test to reaffirm his innocence.
Polygraph tests are not admissible in court.
Last week, the jury viewed videos of Holland's sermons and heard from girls who said they were victimized by Holland when they were teenagers.
Holland says those comments were because parents in his congregation asked him to talk about sex.
His defense attorney says Holland's accusers concocted stories about being abused because they thought they loved Holland and were jealous of his adult relationships.
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