NEW HANOVER COUNTY, N.C. (WECT) – A high-profile trial in New Hanover County is one step closer to coming to an end.

Closing arguments took place Tuesday in the trial of former oral surgeon Michael Hasson.

Hasson is charged with sexually assaulting over 20 patients while they were sedated.

Both the prosecution and the defense gave lengthy closing arguments, each spanning over two hours, in front of a packed courtroom.

The prosecution gave its closing arguments first when prosecutor Connie Jordan asked the jury to think about the “courageous and disturbing accounts from those who trusted Hasson,” and how Hasson “violated their trust.”

Jordan recapped the evidence shown to the jury throughout the trial through a digital presentation, including emotional interviews and testimonies from 19 former patients.

After an hour and a half recess, the defense gave their closing arguments.

Defense Attorney Tripp Watson asked jurors to base their decision on fact instead of emotion.

He showed a video demonstrating what a patient would look like during oral surgery at Hasson’s practice.

He also told the jurors to think about how “drugs affect your mind,” saying Hasson sedated his patients for a reason, as they were all getting oral surgery at the time.

He ended by saying his client is innocent.

The trial is now in the hands of the jury, as deliberation is set to begin Wednesday morning.

Copyright 2024 WECT. All rights reserved.