A Cortez resident convicted in December 2025 on child pornography charges is seeking a new trial, arguing improper evidence and insufficient proof of knowledge undermined a jury’s verdict.
Defense attorneys for Gavan Berzman filed a motion for a new trial Dec. 27 in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court, following a Dec. 17 jury verdict that found Berzman guilty on 19 counts of possession of child pornography, all second-degree felonies.
Berzman was formally charged Oct. 6, 2022, following an investigation in which Manatee County Sheriff’s detectives discovered illegal images on a laptop, according to court documents. The case proceeded to a jury trial in December, which concluded with guilty verdicts on 19 counts.
Berzman’s defense counsel moved for a new trial immediately following the verdict and later filed a written motion arguing that the verdict was contrary to the law and the weight of the evidence, citing the admission of evidence of other alleged crimes not charged in the case.
The defense also contends the state failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Berzman knowingly possessed child pornography or intentionally exercised control over the images.
A hearing on Berzman’s motions for a new trial, mistrial and judgment of acquittal will be Jan. 30 at the Manatee County Judicial Center in Bradenton.