The withheld evidence came to light during the last week of June as Eric Knowles, 39, of Portage, was on trial for four counts of child molesting involving two children.

Defense attorney Larry Rogers said Tuesday he noticed when one of the alleged victims was being questioned by Hudson during the trial, the 12-year-old boy did not describe the sex act that was at the center of the case and that led to the most severe charge.

"I had a feeling that the young man was lying," Rogers said. "I thought if I probed around I could get him to admit to it and he did."

The boy testified his father told him to make the false accusation, Rogers said. He also said he shared that with Hudson and Portage Detective Cpl. Janis Regnier at least a week earlier.

"The decision not to disclose was ultimately decided by the prosecutor," Portage Police Chief Troy Williams said Tuesday. "It was not our detective's call to make."

Rogers said he responded to the discovery of evidence by referring to a law requiring prosecutors to present the defense with any evidence that may indicate the accused is not guilty. That resulted in Alexa acquitting Knowles and ordering him immediately released from jail on his own recognizance while awaiting disposition of a final molestation count involving a third child.