About the middle of January I mentioned that my Son-in-Law’s (SIL) dad would face trial for molesting a young girl. He was arrested in late March 2001. He talked to the police at his home, and agreed to accompany them to the police station for a "lie detector' test. He denied to the police his commission of this crime. The 'lie detector' proved him to be lying. He then confessed to the police, and later to SIL. I confirmed this with the investigating officer whom I spoke to directly, as well as many calls I had with the District Attorney, and discussions with SIL.
Normally, the police have an independent polygraph expert conduct the test. These are done for three rounds to confirm results. Contrary to popular opinion, 'lie detectors' are almost impossible to cheat, and they can be used in a court of law, depending on the jurisdiction. Some states permit the Judge to admit or suppress the results of these tests. Defense attorneys routinely seek suppression of police ‘lie detector’ results.
The Trial was originally scheduled for August 2001, but was continued via the Defense efforts. The Trial was rescheduled for January 29th, through February 6th, 2002. SIL’s dad originally entered a plea of “Not Guilty” during his arraignment before August 2001. In January, he plead guilty to 1st Degree Child Sex Abuse. He is out on bail and ordered to attend sessions with a Court appointed Sex Therapist for evaluation.
The evaluation will involve discussion sessions and a "Penile plethysmograph," http://www.ufiservingscience.com/DS10201.html where electrodes are hooked up to the Penis and various other body parts to monitor heart rate, sexual arousal, pulse, etc. … and the subject is checked for sexual responses to child pornography. This is a common procedure to understand the 'degree' of sexual preference a pedophile has for children. It seems harsh, but is the best and most scientific method that the justice system and professional therapists have at this time.
Based on the results, the Judge will make a determination as to sentence. This may mean anywhere from a little as 10 years probation, and limited supervised contact around children, up to 6½ to 7 years in jail, followed by ten years probation upon release. He will have to register as a sex offender for life. The neighborhood where he lives will have to be notified “IF” the Judge determines he is a future potential threat to children.
SIL’s dad is still a practicing Jehovah's Witness. He was also “Publicly Reproved” by the JW Elders in April 2001 for his conduct. He is definitely guilty by his “own admission” to the police, and his “admission of guilt” to the Judge.
There is no evidence or reason to believe at this time that he has ever molested any of my grandchildren. nor his own children ... at least none of his children have come forward to say they were molested by him. If the test results determine he is a preferential or predatory molester, then there is a chance that the District Attorney will search for additional victims … starting with the local Jehovah’s Witnesses, and branching into the entire family. As it stands, he is likely a “Situational” molester … and these are the least common type, but they may only commit this crime once in their life … and “Situational Molesters” are treated by the Courts with more leniency than “Preferential and Predatory type child molesters.
The girl he molested was 12 years old at the time of the act. From all accounts I have learned, she was not “physically mature” for her age, and this does add some weight to the Therapeutic Evaluation ... not that it matters legally or morally – for he is nonetheless a child molester. Some defendants try, however, to justify such sexual acts if the girl is not a physically a child. But in this case, she exhibited no evidence of being developed as a woman, and thus there is no way such justification might have been used. Personally, I think the man is stupid and sick ... and I have a feeling that he will end up in jail.
NBC Dateline contacted me several times about this case, but they withheld any news on it until they could learn when the trial would be held, and if the JW Elders might get involved. The “Dateline” program we have all waited for was completed last fall, before the actual trial. If Dateline covers this story, it will have to be presented in a subsequent program.
So, this ends this saga for now. After the District Attorney called me Friday, I relayed this to my daughter. Once she and SIL find out about the test results ordered by the Court, they will determine what their own actions will be to protect the grandchildren. If anything new comes up, I will make a post about it.