Witness testimony begins in trial of financial advisor accused of client theft

By By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Feb 3, 2009 at 2:15 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 3, 2009 at 6:31 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - A former local financial advisor stands trial for allegedly stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars from an elderly client.

Dorene Dorn stood accused with attorney M. Helene Hamlin - but Hamlin took a plea, and agreed to testify against Dorn.

The first witness in the case against Dorn took the stand Tuesday morning.

Dorene Dorn said no to the offer that helped Helene Hamlin avoid prison time in favor of probation. Now, Dorn risks up to 15 years in state prison.

Dorn is accused of conspiring with Hamlin to drain roughly $350,000 from John B. Hatfield Sr's accounts. Hatfield has since died.

This will come down to a she-said, she-said.

Helene Hamlin is set to testify against her accused fellow conspirator Tuesday afternoon, and Dorn's attorney tells us she will testify in her own defense.

Another challenge in this case - holding jurors' interest. The testimony is mostly math, accounting, and one juror was visibly nodding off repeatedly.
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