HOUSTON -- A jury began deliberations Monday in the trial of a former Harris County deputy charged with sexually assaulting a child.

Eric Spiller was accused of having a relationship with a teenager three years ago. He was fired from the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.

Defenses attorneys contend the case against Spiller is a fabrication.

During closing arguments, Spiller's wife wept in the front row. Spiller allegedly cheated on her to have an affair with a 16-year-old girl.

"He uses his uniform as a dating service and he immediately goes after (the girl) because he knows she's vulnerable," prosecutor Teri Bennett said.

Prosecutors say Spiller befriended the girl who was struggling with depression and self-esteem problems. The girl said the relationship quickly became sexual, including trysts in Spiller's patrol car.

But Spiller's attorneys said the girl cannot be believed.

"She lied about being in being chat room and who she was. She lies about lying, lying about people and then lies about them," defense attorney Heather Hall said.

Defense attorneys offered a wide array of potential motives for fabricating the charge, from mental illness to parental pressure to anger over Spiller's refusal to leave his wife.

"This is a woman who has a interest in filing charges," Hall said.

But prosecutors said the evidence, phone records and witnesses confirm Spiller initiated the affair, and pursued it in spite of warnings from the girl's mother and his superiors to leave her alone.

"I'm asking you to find him guilty because he is guilty and he needs to be held responsible for what he's done. He is not the victim here," Bennett said.

The jury panel deliberated for five hours Monday without a verdict. Deliberations resume at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday.

If convicted, Spiller could get up to 20 years in prison.

He served 10 years with the Precinct 4 constable's office.