CLEVELAND -- The man acquitted in the murder of 11-year-old Shakira Johnson is now on trial for an unrelated attempted rape charge.

NewsChannel5's Paul Kiska reported that on Thursday, Daniel Hines took the stand in his own defense for the first time.

Hines is charged with gross sexual imposition and attempted rape for an alleged incident involving his 13-year-old cousin in July 2003.

Hines denied on the stand investigators' claims that he used a knife as a weapon against his alleged victim.

He also denied using a crowbar as a weapon against the brother of his alleged victim.

Kiska said Hines was on the stand for 1½ hours, where he was grilled by the prosecution.

The defense is claiming that Hines was not at the home the day of the rape.

The 13-year-old alleged victim took the stand earlier this week, and so did her brother.

Testimony will continue at 9 a.m. Friday.

Hines was found not guilty in December for the 2003 kidnapping and murder of Shakira Johnson. Hines did not take the stand in his own defense in the murder trial.