NEW ULM — A jury of seven men and five women deliberated for more than three hours before finding a 39-year-old Hanska man guilty with 12 aggravating factors of two felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges in Brown County Court Friday.

At the request of the State, Judge Robert Docherty ordered Christopher L. Konakowitz remanded to Brown County Jail custody after the verdict was read.

Sentencing was set for 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25.

“These cases are always tough,” said Brown County Attorney Chuck Hanson after the verdict was read. Mankato attorney Thomas Hagen said he had no comment.

Two girls, now ages 11 and 12, told authorities in the fall of 2019 that Konakowitz molested them at a slumber party at his residence on Halloween Night in 2015.

In her final argument, Deputy Brown County Attorney Jill Jensen said the case is about Konakowitz assaulting two young girls and how the family tried to rally behind him to try to protect him afterwards.

Jensen said the initial interviews the girls participated in showed Konkowitz put his hands under their pants, making them feel “weird” before Konakowitz was arrested.

“The girls both told the same story of what happened to them several years after it happened,” said Jensen.

“The defense will say there were inconsistencies in what the girls said happened,” said Jensen. “Inconsistencies are common. What’s important are court elements. Reasonable doubt is not based on irrelevant details.”

Jensen said statistics show children are more likely to delay disclosing when they are sexually assaulted by family members.

She added that when Brown County Investigator Jeremy Reed arrested Konakowitz in October 2019, he had already talked to family members about the alleged molestation multiple times.

“Both girls consistently said Christopher Konakowitz woke them up by touching their private parts,” Jensen said. “Why else would a grown man touch two young girls in the middle of the night except for a sexual reason? Look at the sensory details the girls gave and how other family members wanted to protect him.”

Mankato defense attorney Thomas Hagen said the state failed to meet its burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt in the case.

“The State’s evidence is speculation, followed by more speculation,” said Hagen. “We don’t convict on speculation…This doesn’t meet the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. If you have reasonable doubt, Chris Konakowitz is not guilty.”

Hagen said Christopher Konakowitz’ wife Andrea asserted he never left their bedroom that night.

“I think Ms. Jensen nailed it,” said Brown County Attorney Chuck Hanson in his rebuttal.

“Mr. Hagen planted seeds of doubt. Don’t get bogged down in the weeds. It’s not about proof beyond any possibility of doubt. Proof beyond all doubt is impossible. That doesn’t happen. It only matters what you heard. Rely on your memory of what witnesses said.”

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com).