Trial begins for Lynn man accused of raping a child

SALEM – A 44-year-old former Lynn man went on trial Tuesday in connection with charges he faces for child rape and molestation.Glenn P. Christie, last known address of 46 Humphrey St., Swampscott, is charged with four counts of rape of a child, as well as indecent assault and battery on a child under the age of 14 and dissemination of pornographic materials to a minor.Jury selection began Tuesday. Eleven jurors were chosen by the end of the court day. An additional three more jurors will be screened today to complete the jury panel of 14.Assistant District Attorney Michael Sheehan is expected to show that Christie raped the then 12-year-old boy at his apartment, at 12 Castle Rising Court, #202, in Lynn, on several occasions, improperly touched him and showed him pornographic materials on his computer between May 1, 2005 and Sept. 1, 2005.The victim, who is now 17, told authorities that Christie would babysit him at his home while his mother was at work and then sexually abuse him.The case has been lingering for a time due to preliminary trial motions that had to be sifted out, as well as changes in attorneys.Christie was first indicted by an Essex County grand jury in December 2005, but then additional charges were lodged against him and new indictments were handed up in June of 2007.Christie has been free on $3,000 cash bail from the onset of the charges.He faces a potential life sentence in state prison on each of the child rape charges, up to 10 years in state prison on the indecent assault and battery and up to five years in state prison on the pornography charge.Christie is being represented by public defender Sierra Rosen.