The trial of a 42-year-old man accused of aggravated rape of a child began Friday in state district court.

Jason Miller, who was indicted March 30, allegedly assaulted a family member between 2009 and 2010, when the girl was 6 years old.

He has been held without bail in the Calcasieu Correctional Center since he was arrested on the day of his indictment.

Prosecutor Adam Ortego told the jury that the girl went to a cousin’s house for a sleepover. There, Ortego said, Miller raped the girl and her 3-year-old cousin and told them to tell no one about it. He said they remained silent for a period of time because they were scared.

Defense attorney Todd S. Clemons said Miller has been “falsely accused.”

He said one of the girls was interviewed at least four times at a child advocacy center, where she said she had never been sexually assaulted. 

The two girls asked the court on Friday if they could give their testimony privately, and Judge Mike Canaday agreed. He asked the courtroom to be cleared of anyone not directly involved with the case.

Trial will resume on Monday.