WOODSTOCK – Serial killer John Wayne Gacy's nephew took the stand on Thursday, denying accusations that he sexually abused a 12-year-old girl.

Raymond M. Kasper, 49, formerly of Algonquin, is charged with multiple counts of predatory criminal sexual assault and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Kasper told the jury that he is a former school bus driver and trucking company logistics manager, but is now receiving worker's compensation for an injury. Judge Joseph Condon previously barred any mention of Kasper's relation to Gacy, saying it's irrelevant.

The girl had accused Kasper of touching her in a sexual manner after she came home with mosquito bites, but when she testified earlier this week she said it had all been a dream.

Kasper testified about the mosquito bite incident, saying that he did draw a bath for the girl, but left the bathroom while she bathed and returned only when she asked him to put calamine lotion on her back.

He said that she was wearing Strawberry Shortcake pajama bottoms at the time and was holding a towel over the front of her body when he put lotion on her back, neck, and arms.

He was in the bathroom with her for less than a minute, he said.

The bathroom door was closed, Kasper said, because her brother's bedroom was just across the hall and he wanted to protect her privacy.

When questioned by prosecutors, Kasper was asked if he thought it had been appropriate on other occasions to discuss personal grooming and hygiene with a 12-year-old girl.

It was, he said, when she asked him questions.

He also was asked why, when interviewed by police, he didn't call the girl a liar. Instead, he used the phrase "emotionally disturbed."