Defense attorneys say a private, recorded conversation between the trial judge and the district attorney tainted the case of Eric Bard, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old and sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Miranda Hopkins was sentenced Wednesday to 18 years in prison with all but 13 years suspended in Waldo County Superior Court in Belfast.

Other cases involve charges of assault, theft, burglary and violation of conditions of release related to unlawful sexual contact.