Former Elder Michael J Norris IN CUSTODY

by Tylinbrando 42 Replies latest jw friends

  • Tylinbrando
    Tylinbrando

    Abiblestudent, all excellent points you set forth.

    The allegations are set forth in the press release. It involves multiple counts(I would venture to say at least 12)

    You mentioned; 'Would it help if a one-page OpEd was sent to LA Times reporters and editors that outlined how the WTBTS protects pedophiles and victimizes the molestation victims to protect the image of the Watchtower and using Micheal J. Norris as a local example."

    I have generated brief synopsis and forwarded to mainstream media. I live in Los Angeles and have contacted all major media. I must say that for each step of progress more of these agencies are becoming more interested in the story. I intend as you suggest on puting together a more comprehensive editorial including Watchtower Policy and the famous Letter to BOE for these outlets to consider. One thing I must be cognisant of is how or what is said or alleged would be spun or used negatively by the defense. Frankly I am fully aware that they are monitoring this Board and my Facebook(which is private) I have had sit downs with the prosecution and they throw printouts of Facebook and other social media belonging to me on the table and say "nothing is private to us" CRAZY STUFF. Honestly, our attorneys and the DA would be extremely happy if I sat back and said NOTHING. However it is not in my nature.

    To make it clear, many main stream editors have communicated extensively with me about this case. Perhaps they are waiting for it to develope further before they pull their own triggers.

    Thank you very much for your input.

  • ABibleStudent
    ABibleStudent

    Hi Tylinbrando, I understand how prosecutors do not want to jepordize their case against Norris, however the OpEd to the news media could be written as just a tip of the iceberg expose of missdeeds done by the WTBTS in which Norris is just a footnote.

    I'm thinking of more long term such as class action lawsuits against the WTBTS or building support for writing to US Congressional representives to modify the US tax code to require that all tax exempt organizations must meet some type of societal expectation besides some organizations declaring that they are a religion to avoid paying taxes.

    If you want help writing to the news media, please PM me.

    Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

    Robert

  • Glander
    Glander

    (warning - irrelevant trivia warning.)

    I helped build that Carpenteria area KH back in the late sixties. It was located near the Santa Barbara polo field where many H'Wood movies were filmed. During the construction a brother in the building trade was seriously burned by boiling roofing tar that was spilled from the roof while he was working below.

    The unique thing about that KH was the partial second floor that served as library, second TM school, and grilling room for judicial committees who were busy ignoring pedo accusations.

  • Tylinbrando
    Tylinbrando

    Glander thanks for the history! My parents moved into that KH in 1965. In the late 1990s we completely gutted and renovated the building. I did the tile work in the foyer and bathrooms, glass block and interior plaster. PITA. The upstairs library is now a 3rd school with the second school built in the back behind glass on the first floor. There is now 3 upper rooms. Aside from the 3rd school/library there is a large storage room for all the secret files and a meeting room for Elders to help the pedophiles escape prosecution...

  • Tylinbrando
    Tylinbrando

    http://www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/3944814

    I cant seem to figure out embedding on the video....

  • Balaamsass
  • ABibleStudent
    ABibleStudent

    Hi Tylinbrando, Get rid of the "http://" before the www on the url address to create the link like below.

    www.clipsyndicate.com/video/play/3944814

    Peace be with you and everyone, who you love,

    Robert

    Correction: May be you need to post it to www.youtube.com first, and then do what I wrote.

  • Tylinbrando
    Tylinbrando

    Www.amcostarica.com

    Quepos expat back in U.S. to face child sex charge

    By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
    A suspected child molester who has lived in Quepos since 2006 is finally in custody in the United States. The case has religious dimensions because the man, Michael J. Norris, 67, was an elder of the Jehovah's Witnesses congregation where the long-running molestation is alleged to have taken place.

    A warrant for Norris was issued in Santa Barbara, California, in December. The Sheriff's Office there posted his photo and a request for information. But persons associated with the Carpinteria, California, congregation knew exactly where the man was. They notified sheriff's detectives and employees at the U.S. Embassy here.

    There are conflicting reports on where Norris was detained. One version is that he was arrested when he got off a plane at Los Angeles International Airport. A second version is that he was detained here at a Costa Rican airport and escorted to Los Angeles by law officers where the official arrest took place.

    In any event, he is in the Santa Barbara county jail in lieu of $250,000 bail. The allegations include multiple counts of molesting a minor under the age of 14. There also is an allegation of distributing pornography to a minor. The investigation has been going on for a year or more.

    Although living in Costa Rica, Norris returned to the Santa Barbara area several times, including once in July 2011, said a person close to the case. A girl at that time accused Norris of attempting to molest her, the person said. Some months later, the girl made allegations of a long-running series of molestations dating back to 2002. That is when law officers became involved.

    Santa Barbara Sheriff's Detective Ted Toedte praised the help from the U.S. government. "The State Department reached out to me regarding this case and from day one they were extremely helpful and remained in constant contact with me," he said. "I was just in the process of writing their office to extend our gratitude to them for all their efforts." He is with the fugitive unit.

    At the embassy here, a spokesman said that the delay between the time officials knew the location of Norris and his detention was due to negotiations.

    "I would disagree with your characterization that it took so long," said the embassy spokesman. "Our regional security office is working on a significant caseload of fugitive files at any given time. Considering that he was working through his attorney to return to the United States, it is clear

    Michael Norris

    that this was a case brought to a timely and successful conclusion. I believe the detective in Santa Barbara would agree."

    Norris lived on a farm about 10 minutes outside of Quepos on the central Pacific coast. He was reported to have constructed a home there.

    There also were conflicting statements as to whether Norris had a lawyer negotiate his surrender. That was the original reason officials here did not mount an effort to arrest him. A second version is that negotiations failed and that U.S. law officers encountered Norris at the airport and caused him to return to California.

    The Norris case is unusual because he was the topic of many postings on the Internet. Some of the postings included his location. In addition, there was criticism of church leaders. There also were suggestions that there was more than one young victim. Norris was believed to have been associated with the Carpinteria congregation for decades before he moved to Costa Rica.

    A woman closely associated with the case said by email that "We, too, are fed up with molesters being protected by religious groups. We are proceeding with civil litigation against Watchtower (Jehovah's Witnesses) and family members that harbored . . . " Norris.

    The woman said that although may persons associate with the religious congregation knew of the molestation allegations in July 2011, none made a police report
  • Tylinbrando
    Tylinbrando

    Michael Johnson Norris plead not guilty and "denies all special allegations"

    No bail, fugitive still in custody, Santa Barbara County Jail.

    Preliminary hearing March 13th.

    Christine Voss, public defender.

    Benjamin Ladinig, Deputy Distric Attorney.

    Santa Barbara Superior Court, Department 10.

    15 year old victim will be testifying on the 13th.

  • Calebs Airplane
    Calebs Airplane

    I see... I guess he's arrogant as well...

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