Lee County man accused of raping stepdaughter testifies in court

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A full day of testimony took place Wednesday in the retrial of a man accused of raping his stepdaughter over the course of six years.

Richard McDade was convicted in 2011, but it was thrown out because prosecutors played illegal recordings from the alleged victim.

The accuser, Brenda Salais, was questioned on the stand for two hours, giving graphic and emotional detail of the alleged abuse.

“I would just go to my room and I would cry and scream, try to attempt to commit suicide at times,” said Salias.

WINK News has a policy of not showing or naming sex assault victims unless there’s a compelling reason and they give us permission. Salias spoke with WINK News earlier this week to share her story.

In court Wednesday, McDade said the heinous accusations against him are false. In his own words, he told a jury that he never sexually assaulted his stepdaughter.

“I always took care of her. I’ve done everything for that girl.”

McDade also said that he has suffered from erectile dysfunction since the 1990s, and that his relationship with his stepdaughter didn’t become sour until she started seeing her boyfriend, who he claimed wanted to eliminate him.

“Because I was the pillar of the family, and he knew that they could run over the mother but not me,” said McDade.

Salais told the court McDade threatened to deport her to Mexico if she told anyone about the abuse.

“I was raised there for five years of my life. I lived in poverty, I had no food, I had no toys.”

Salais’ mother also took the stand and said that she loved her daughter. During testimony, Salias said her mother didn’t believe her when she told her what was happening.

“You know she’s supposed to be there to protect me and she just failed, and for that she’s just not a mother anymore,” said Salais.

Salais’ brother also testified that his sister never appeared to be afraid of McDade.

Defense attorney Robert Harris argued that Salais’ account of events has been inconsistent.

“She has said this claim to some people and she’s taken it back. She has left out incredible details that have now come to her mind,” said Harris.

Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Thursday morning.