I forgot to post that this report was written by John Redwood and can be found at http://jwsurvey.org/child-abuse-2/news-bulletin-fessler-versus-watchtower-opening-statements-and-motions-in-jehovahs-witness-child-abuse-trial-day-1
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Day 1 - Fessler vs. Watchtower – Opening Statements and Motions in Jehovah’s Witness Child Abuse Trial
by AndersonsInfo innews bulletin: fessler versus watchtower – opening statements and motions in jehovah’s witness child abuse trial – day 1. .
posted on february 12, 2017. city hall, philadelphia, pennsylvania.
on a cold philadelphia morning the 7th of february, 2017, stephanie fessler walked into the court of common pleas of pennsylvania, first judicial district, civil trial division.
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Day 1 - Fessler vs. Watchtower – Opening Statements and Motions in Jehovah’s Witness Child Abuse Trial
by AndersonsInfo innews bulletin: fessler versus watchtower – opening statements and motions in jehovah’s witness child abuse trial – day 1. .
posted on february 12, 2017. city hall, philadelphia, pennsylvania.
on a cold philadelphia morning the 7th of february, 2017, stephanie fessler walked into the court of common pleas of pennsylvania, first judicial district, civil trial division.
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AndersonsInfo
News Bulletin: Fessler versus Watchtower – Opening Statements and Motions in Jehovah’s Witness Child Abuse Trial – Day 1
Posted on February 12, 2017City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
On a cold Philadelphia morning the 7th of February, 2017, Stephanie Fessler walked into the Court of Common Pleas of Pennsylvania, First Judicial District, Civil Trial Division. The time was 9.45 a.m. according to the clock which sits atop the historic City Hall courthouse in the center of Philadelphia. But there was another clock running – it was the clock of justice, the timepiece which measures just how long it takes for a person or organization which has damaged another person’s life to be called to account for what they have done, or possibly what they have not done.
It has been 13 years since congregation elders in Spring Grove Pennsylvania first learned of the inappropriate relationship and abuse perpetrated by Terry Monheim, aged 49, and her victim, Stephanie Fessler, who was just 14 years of age when the abuse began. Stephanie was dragged before elders in 2004 and 2005 to answer for her relationship with her abuser, but with grotesque disregard for the law, elders knowingly failed to report the suspected abuse to the police, to Pennsylvania’s Childline, or to any other authority. Instead, they forwarded what they knew to Watchtower’s Legal Department, who wantonly disregarded Pennsylvania State law, and also failed to report.
Instead of protecting the victim from further harm, local elders in Pennsylvania issued a private reproof in 2004, then another public reproof in 2005. The victim, Stephanie was crucified and devastated, having been denied protection from the authorities who are trained to protect minors, and prevent further injury and mental distress. The local elders and the Watchtower organization victimized Stephanie, and more than once. Her participation in the abuse was viewed as a sin, and not a crime. Stephanie was a sinner, they said.
At 9:52 a.m. 25 jurors entered the court of Mary C. Collins, and were instructed regarding the nature of this case, and were read the list of witnesses who would likely testify. By 10:25 a.m. all but 10 jurors were dismissed, and the final jury was complete. Eight jurors with two alternates will decide the fate of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, The Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Spring Grove Congregation of JWs – and to a lesser extent, the abuser, Terry Monheim.
Pre-Trial Motions
Just prior to opening arguments, without the jury present, the attorneys for the plaintiff, Stephanie Fessler, and the defense battled out more than a dozen motions before Judge Collins. These motions set the stage for which evidence can be introduced during trial, and that which can’t.
The battle did not take long to become heated when Spring Grove defense attorney, Jud Aaron, argued vocally against the introduction of a new witness, who was an elder in York County, PA. Mr. Arron argued that this was a “bombshell” witness introduced by the plaintiff, whose testimony is irrelevant, and who had not been deposed by the defense. Judge Collins agreed with the defense that his evidence would not be permitted during the initial phase of the trial, but will be allowed during the punitive stage of the trial. The stage was already beginning to be set for Watchtower’s inevitable defeat, even before the jurors heard a single witness testify.
In another motion, the defense attempted to preclude the testimony of detective, Lisa Layden, an expert witness, stating that her testimony is “just an opinion” and should not be permitted. After a concise rebuttal from counsel, Jeffrey Fritz, Judge Collins agreed, and the defense motion was denied. Lisa Layden will testify.
It was no surprise that the defense attempted to argue that the statements made to elders by the plaintiff were privileged, and entering them into testimony would violate clergy privilege laws, which protect confessions made to clergymen. This claim erupted in a furious rebuttal by Stephanie’s attorney Jeffrey Fritz, in which he informed the judge that clergy privilege has no application in this case as there was no expectation of confidentiality when the elders hauled Fessler into an elder’s meeting and questioned her about her relationship with Monheim. When elder, Eric Hoffman, was deposed over 2 years ago, he never once advised counsel that he would like to invoke clergy privilege, and in fact he violated that anyway by spreading every aspect of Stephanie’s testimony to multiple elders as well as the Watchtower's Legal Department in New York. As the steam settled from Mr. Fritz’s forehead, Judge Collins told counsel that Fritz was “right on point” about this issue, and that clergy privilege could not be invoked. As Watchtower has attempted to claim clergy privilege in the past, this was another defeat for the Jehovah’s Witness organization.
In a somewhat surprising defense strategy, Defense Attorney, Jud Aaron, claimed that the plaintiff’s counsel is putting the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses on trial by introducing dozens of Watchtower and Awake! articles into evidence. It was a desperate move, but Judge Collins did not fall for it.
The Trial Begins
From the private backrooms of the courthouse the jury entered the room. Three black men, two white women and five black women entered and took their assigned seats. Judge Collins congratulated them for their service to the court, then reminded them that during the trial, she decides on all matters of law, and they must obey her decision. However, she reminded the jury that they are the sole determiners of the facts of this case. Collins explained the definition of “preponderance of evidence,” then gave the jury an illustration of a scale, with the plaintiff and defense on either side of center. She stated that if the scale tips ever so slightly in favor of the plaintiff, then the plaintiff has met her burden of proof, and defense will be found guilty.
Following a lunch break, the court reconvened at 1:45 p.m., at which point Judge Collins read the statute for mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse to the jury of 10. The plaintiff was now given the floor, and attorney, Gregg Zeff, made his opening statement to the jury. Mr. Zeff explained that a member of clergy must report suspected abuse of a minor, and that elders should never keep suspected abuse secret to protect the Jehovah’s Witness organization. Zeff introduced a letter to the body of elders, dated July 1, 1989, which reminds elders that due to lawsuits, strictest confidence must be maintained by elders. The letter advised elders against the “improper use of the tongue”
Zeff explains the timeline in which the elders first learned of the suspected abuse of Fessler in 2004, activity which included hugging and kissing. Elders from both the Spring Grove congregation (Stephanie’s congregation) and those from the Freeland Maryland congregation (Terry Seipp-Monheim’s congregation) were aware of the relationship, but failed to contact the authorities. Instead, they formed their own committee and reproved both the victim and her abuser.
Attorney Zeff then played a video deposition taken a few years ago when this case was filed, in which the plaintiff’s mother, Jodie Fessler, stated that elder Eric Hoffman never once advised her that the authorities must be contacted.
It was not until 2011 that Stephanie Fessler was finally able to contact the police, at which point Monheim was arrested and jailed. Testimony from detective Layden will advise the jury that elders should have immediately obeyed the law and contacted the police and Childline. Instead, Zeff stated that rules were broken to protect the congregation and keep it out of harm’s way.
Evidence will show that Stephanie, at 14 years of age, attended public school, but was otherwise completely insulated from after school activities and association with non-Witness youths. Instead she was left to care for her Jehovah’s Witness mom, who had a history of mental illness. Stephanie looked to Terry Seipp (Monheim) for emotional support, but Seipp soon broke that trust by entering into a sexual relationship with Stephanie. Stephanie had no prior relationships. The plaintiff will examine professional therapist Debbie Bauer, who will discuss the damages to Stephanie, not only for the initial abuse, but for the protracted relationship of over two years which caused Stephanie permanent psychological damage. Co-Defendant Terry Monheim was remorseful, having served her time in jail, but the plaintiff will argue that the defendants, Watchtower, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Spring Grove congregation are to be held responsible for their failure to report the suspected sexual abuse of a minor.
Defense Opening
Attorney for the defense of Spring Grove congregation opened with the statement, “In life there are consequences for not telling the truth.” Jud Aaron argued that therapist Lori Barton’s notes will prove that there was NOT a sexual relationship occurring at the time elders in Spring Grove first learned of the affair between Fessler and Terry Seipp (Monheim). As a result, Aaron said “You can’t report what you don’t know.”
Aaron further stated that by 2005, the “relationship” between Fessler and Seipp was over. In a moment of great emotion, the plaintiff Stephanie Fessler sat just a few feet away from Jud Aaron as he then stated “Stephanie Fessler did not tell the truth…As a consequence, no report was made.
As if to hammer this point down to the jury, Mr. Aaron replicated his earlier comment in a final statement: "One thing is crystal clear – Stephanie did not tell the truth, so the elders had nothing to report. The elders could not protect Stephanie Fessler because she did not tell the truth.”
Next up was Mr. John Miller, attorney for the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. Miller, a Jehovah’s Witness elder himself and a member of the Patterson, New York, JW Legal Department, explained that Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian religion, and that the jury will hear that Watchtower “owns some things up there” in New York. After offering his explanation for the various Witness owned corporations, he then echoed the words of his co-counsel, Jud Aaron, and stated that Terry Monheim will not show up in court to defend herself here. He further stated that the Watchtower and CCJW did not have any duty to report what they had heard from congregation elders.
Miller also reiterated that the key to the defense is contained in the notes of therapist Lori Barton. Miller in his best courtroom dramatics stated emphatically, “Records don’t lie.”
Attorney Miller intensified his plea to the jury, closing with the statement: “We (the Watchtower) have nothing to do with this case.” Miller quipped that elders are “just lay persons,” closing his remarks with “Watchtower and CCJW don’t even belong here.”
Attorney for CCJW (Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses), Louis Lombardi, made no opening statements to the jury. He sat silently between Aaron and Miller at the defense counsel table, leaving one to wonder if he will ever make an appearance in the defense of the Jehovah’s Witness organization.
Stay tuned for more as we report on the ongoing defense strategy, and the courtroom antics of Watchtower’s first witness, Thomas Jefferson, Jr.
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Stephanie Fessler v Watch Tower - Trial on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2017 in Pennsylvania
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://avoidjw.org/2017/02/stephanie-fessler-v-watch-tower/.
stephanie fessler v watch tower.
stephanie fessler was brought up as a jehovah’s witness by her parents, jodee and kevin.
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AndersonsInfo
http://avoidjw.org/2017/02/stephanie-fessler-v-watch-tower/
Stephanie Fessler v Watch Tower
- By John Redwood
- February 2, 2017
- 0 Comments
Stephanie Fessler is a former Jehovah’s Witness and a victim of child sexual abuse. On Tuesday, February 7 2017 starting at 11am, she will have a trial by jury in Pennsylvania against defendants Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of New York, the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Inc., Spring Grove Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses and her abuser, Terry Monheim.
As plaintiff, Stephanie asserts claims against the defendants for negligence, violations of the CPSL and negligent failure to rescue against the defendants who failed to report known abuse to legal authorities which resulted in continued sexual assault and both physical and psychological injuries. Plaintiff also alleges claims for assault and battery against Terry Jeanne Monheim.
Stephanie Fessler will be represented by Jeffrey P. Fritz, Esq. of Soloff and Zervanos, P.C.
The Trial is expected to last 5 or 6 days and John Redwood from JW Survey will be reporting on the developments each day.
Trey Bundy, a reporter with Reveal News, discussed this case in January 2016.
Background to Stephanie Fessler’s Abuse
Stephanie Fessler was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness by her parents, Jodee and Kevin. Her father is an elder in the Spring Grove Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in York County, Pennsylvania.
At the age of 14, she became friendly with Terry Seipp’s (now known as Terry Monheim) children and would visit them at their home in Hampstead, Maryland. In the summer of 2003, her relationship with Terry turned sexual.
Terry at first hugged, kissed (intimately), “made out” with, “humped” and consoled Stephanie when Stephanie became upset over her mother’s mental breakdown due to depression. However, this later escalated to oral sex and digital penetration.
Over the next two years, Stephanie was abused at Terry’s home, at Terry’s daughter’s homes, Terry’s place of work and in her vehicle, as well as at Stephanie’s parents’ home.
In the summer of 2004, Terry’s daughter, Amber, became suspicious that there was an improper relationship going on between Terry and Stephanie. She raised her suspicions to Stephanie’s mother, Jodee Fessler.
When Jodee saw Terry and Stephanie together at the Spring Grove Congregation, she too became suspicious. She searched Stephanie’s room and and found a “love letter” in the form of a card. It was written by Stephanie and mentioned intimate kissing and how much she loved Terry. After showing the card to her husband, Kevin Fessler, both parents confronted Stephanie.
Stephanie could not deny the intimate nature of the relationship.
Jodee and Kevin shared this information with Eric Hoffman who was a long-time family friend and fellow elder within the Spring Grove Congregation. In turn, this information was shared with Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and with elders from Terry’s Kingdom Hall, the Freeland Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Maryland.
Investigations into Stephanie Fessler’s Abuse
In keeping with Watch Tower policy, Eric Hoffman started an investigation to specifically find out information concerning the allegations. In their investigation, they questioned Stephanie only, who was now 15 years old. She disclosed to Eric Hoffman, Neal Cluck and John Ness – the investigating elders within the Spring Grove Congregation – that there was intimate kissing and hugging with Terry.
According to Eric Hoffman, Stephanie’s parents were concerned because they believed there was more to the relationship than just hugging and “intimate”, “mouth-to-mouth” kissing. Yet, Hoffman also learned of “an instance or two of momentary touching of the breast”.
None of the elders from the Spring Grove Congregation talked with Terry Seipp or anyone in her family.
Notably, none of the elders reported any of this information to any legal authorities in Pennsylvania or Maryland.
Eric Hoffman admitted that he had information of suspected child abuse involving Stephanie Fessler and never reported it to any legal authorities although there was nothing preventing him from doing so.
The elders in Spring Grove Congregation did share what they learned with Terry’s elders in the Freeland Congregation in Maryland.
When the elders in the Freeland Congregation investigated Terry, she admitted to intimately kissing Stephanie was was underage. She was told to “stay away” from Stephanie. No report to law enforcement was made, even though the elders in the Freeland Congregation had considered that Terry’s actions were unlawful.
Hoffman and Cluck consulted with Watch Tower’s legal department in Patterson, New York. Upon that consultation, they decided against making any report to law enforcement. This decision was in derogation of every published policy and procedure within the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Jehovah’s Witnesses’ procedures require:
- Reporting if required by law (as is the case in Pennsylvania).
- Protecting the child from further abuse
- Encouraging reporting by the victim and in some cases even accompanying the victim.
Because the elders never contacted the police or child welfare authorities, the physical and sexual abuse of Stephanie continued for more than a year later.
In 2005, Terry’s then husband, Dana Seipp, hired a private investigator to follow Terry (50) and Stephanie (15). Dana obtained photographic evidence of the two together. Dana brought this evidence to the elder’s attention. In September 2005, Stephanie disclosed the abuse again.
And again, no report was made to the authorities.
It wasn’t until 2011, when Stephanie Fessler was 22 years old, that she ultimately disclosed the abused directly to the police. The police investigated and charged Terry Seipp with multiple criminal violations. Terry ultimately plead guilty to indecent assault and corruption of a minor and was sentenced to prison and probation.
Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Liability
The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ liability stems from their awareness of Stephanie Fessler’s abuse but reluctance to do anything to protect her. Multiple elders, including Stephanie’s own father, became aware of suspected child abuse and failed to report it to authorities as was their legal obligation to do so as mandatory reporters under Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law (CPSL).
As a result, the abuse was permitted to continue, escalate and become even more frequent. In all, acts of abuse occurred on approximately 30-50 occasions over two years.
The church of Jehovah’s Witnesses failed to report known abuse in violation of Pennsylvania’s CPSL and their own policies. This constitutes negligence and recklessness. Additionally, they were also negligent and reckless for failing to properly train elders who were totally unaware of their obligations for reporting suspected abuse in Pennsylvania. Rather, Pennsylvania’s CPSL law requires that suspected abuse be reported to legal authorities which the church never did. Further, the church took no steps to protect Stephanie from further abuse.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses violated their own procedures in multiple ways including failing to follow these (and other) policies published in their literature:
- First, the child and other children too must be protected from any further abuse. This must be done, whatever the cost. In many cases the accused molester will have to be confronted.
- “If a current case of child abuse comes to light in your congregation, elders should do what they can to protect children from further abuse.
- “Though it is not the responsibility of the Christian congregation to enforce Caesar’s laws, yet the very nature of some crimes demands that they be reported to secular authorities. It may be necessary to encourage the wrongdoer to turn himself in to secular authorities. Before any steps are taken in this regard, contact the branch office. of course, review the latest Society directives on such matters before proceeding.”
- “Victims of sexual abuse need to be treated with extreme thoughtfulness and kindness. Elders should always do what they reasonably can to protect children from further abuse; follow the Society’s directives on such matters.”
- “When a member of the congregation is accused of child molestation, the elders should contact the Society’s Legal Department immediately. Many states make it mandatory that elders report an accusation to the proper authorities but other states do not. . . . Still, whether or not the accusation is reported to the authorities, when it is established that a member of the congregation is guilty of child abuse, appropriate steps should be taken in keeping with initial direction from the Society’s Legal Department.”
- “Of course, children should also be warned about and urged to report to authorities any person making improper advances toward them, including people they know”
- “The elder should explain to the complainant that he himself might have a duty to report the matter to the proper authorities. If the complainant is a child the elder might offer to accompany him or her to discuss the situation with a parent (but not the alleged abuser) or to one of the above authorities.”
Witnesses Expected at Trial
- Stephanie Fessler (Lancaster, PA)
- Don Hollingworth (Toms River, NJ)
- Richard Moake (Patterson, NY)
- Thomas Jefferson, Jr. (Patterson, NY)
- Eric Sandoval (Patterson, NY)
- Detective Sergeant Lisa Layden – fact and expert witness (Spring Grove, PA)
- Eric Hoffman (Spring Grove, PA)
- Jodee Fessler (Spring Grove, PA)
- Kevin Fessler (Spring Grove, PA)
- Terry Monheim (Hanover, PA)
- Neal Cluck (Spring Grove,PA)
- Gary Neal (Freeland, MD)
- Troy Ruhlman (Glenville, PA)
- Deborah L. Bauer, LCSW – expert witness (Harrisburg, PA)
- Corporate Designee regarding the net worth/assets of Watchtower Bible and Tract Society
- Corporate Designee regarding net worth/assets of Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses
- Records Custodians for the documents identified in Plaintiff’s Pretrial Memorandum and produced in discovery by your clients.
Plaintiff may also call any witnesses identified by Defendants or persons who are rebuttal witnesses.
Profile of Jeffrey Fritz, Esq.
Jeffrey P. Fritz is an Advocate for Crime Victims. He is experienced in representing crime victims on behalf of survivors of murder, assault, sexual assault and molestation.
He has obtained multiple settlements and verdicts of more than $1,000,000.00 and was a member of the Tropicana Casino & Hotel garage collapse trial team, which obtained the largest construction accident settlement in U.S. history, totaling $101 million. He successfully represented multiple victims of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky in claims against Penn State University for child sexual abuse.
Mr. Fritz is a 1996 Cum Laude graduate of Widener University School of Law. He is a member of the bar in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He is also a charter member, advisory board member and past president (2010 & 2011) of the National Crime Victim Bar Association, a national organization of attorneys and professionals devoted to obtaining civil justice for the victims of crime. Mr. Fritz is also a member of the American Association for Justice and both the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Associations. He has also been named a 2005 & 2006 “Rising Star” by Philadelphia Magazine and Super Lawyers and “Best of the Best” (Reader’s Choice) by South Jersey Magazine for crime victim representation.
Jeffrey P. Fritz has authored several articles regarding civil justice for crime victims in national publications such as Trial Magazine, The Victim Advocate and Victim Voice. He has served as a lecturer on civil justice for attorneys, victims, and victim service providers throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey as well as nationally. He has provided commentary on crime victims’ rights to the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Associated Press and has appeared on NBC, MSNBC, CNN, HLN, Fox-29 & truTV. He has trained crime victim service providers in obtaining civil justice on behalf of the National Center for Victims of Crime/National Crime Victim Bar Association. He has also lectured on behalf of the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency at their state-wide conference entitled “Pathways for Crime Victims” and has served on behalf of the New Jersey Victims of Crime Compensation Board training other attorneys in civil remedies for crime victims across the State of New Jersey. He has been an invited lecturer on behalf of the National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC), American Association for Justice (AAJ), New Jersey’s Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) and the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association regarding crime victim representation.
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Former JW, Brenda Thornlow, named as winner in '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' book awards
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://www.nbcrightnow.com/story/34294746/brenda-thornlow-author-of-my-shortlived-life-at-being-perfect-named.
brenda thornlow, author of 'my short-lived life at being perfect', named as winner in '50 great writers you should be reading' book awards.
posted: jan 19, 2017 2:29 am cst .
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AndersonsInfo
Brenda Thornlow, Author Of 'My Short-Lived Life At Being Perfect', Named As Winner In '50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading' Book AwardsPosted: Jan 19, 2017 2:29 AM CST
Brenda Thornlow, a former Jehovah's Witness, writes about being forbidden from celebrating holidays, birthdays and associating with anyone outside of her faith. From a young age, she struggles to accept what her devout family believes, to no avail. Eventually marrying an abusive member with a position of authority in her church, Brenda struggles to extricate herself from this dominating religious group who attempt to manipulate her into staying married to her abuser.
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Lake Worth, FL: Jehovah Witness teacher's aide sex scandal guilty on all counts
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://wjla.com/news/nation-world/jehovah-witness-teachers-aide-sex-scandal-guilty-on-all-counts.
jehovah witness teacher's aide sex scandal guilty on all counts.
january 20, 2017. by mike magnoli.
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AndersonsInfo
http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/jehovah-witness-teachers-aide-sex-scandal-guilty-on-all-counts
Jehovah Witness teacher's aide sex scandal guilty on all counts
January 20, 2017
by Mike Magnoli
- BE SURE TO WATCH THE VIDEO -
WEST PALM BEACH (CBS12) — A verdict has been reached in the trial of a former teacher’s aide from Lake Worth, he was accused of having sex with a 15-year-old girl he met through church functions.
The jury of 6 was unanimous-- finding Hugh Murray guilty on all counts.
On the third day of the trial against Murray-- just before noon-- a note came from the jury asking to hear the phone call between the 15-year-old victim and Murray -- the state made that recording one of their key pieces of evidence, but there was also a slew of naked pictures, and DNA, all showed Murray and the teen were having sexual relations.
The background on the story:
READ MORE:
http://wjla.com/news/nation-world/jehovah-witness-teachers-aide-sex-scandal-guilty-on-all-counts
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NY Daily News: Gov. Cuomo unveils plan for Child Victims Act that would do away with statute of limitation
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/cuomo-unveils-plan-child-victims-act-article-1.2943920.
cuomo unveils plan for child victims act that would do away with statute of limitation .
cuomo wants to get rid of statute of limitation for child victims.
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AndersonsInfo
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/cuomo-unveils-plan-child-victims-act-article-1.2943920
Cuomo unveils plan for Child Victims Act that would do away with statute of limitation
Cuomo wants to get rid of statute of limitation for child victims
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Thursday, January 12, 2017, 12:59 AM
Gov. Cuomo shared his own plan for a Child Victims Act designed to help child sex abuse survivors seek legal recourse as adults.
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Updated: Thursday, January 12, 2017, 12:59 AM
ALBANY — Stepping up to the plate for child sex abuse survivors, Gov. Cuomo weighed in Wednesday for the first time with his own plan to help victims seek legal recourse as adults.
Cuomo’s version of the Child Victims Act would do away entirely with the statute of limitations on prosecutions of those who abused children.
It would also allow victims to bring civil lawsuits for 50 years from when their attacks took place and would open up a one-year look-back window for survivors who under current law can no longer bring cases to do so.
In addition, the plan would treat public and private institutions the same by doing away with a current requirement that gives those abused in a school or at another public entity only 90 days from the attack to notify of their intent to sue. They otherwise would have until their 23rd birthday.
California nixes 10-year statute of limitations on sex crimes
Cuomo unveiled his plan in a book outlining his 2017 policy agenda.
READ MORE: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/cuomo-unveils-plan-child-victims-act-article-1.2943920
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Florida - Palm Beach Post: Priest sues diocese claiming it punished him for reporting sex abuse
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/crime--law/priest-sues-diocese-claiming-punished-him-for-reporting-sex-abuse/eb6segzlbqlrawrdpgoxtn/.
west palm beach — .
a former priest at holy name of jesus catholic church on wednesday sued the diocese of palm beach, claiming it punished him for exposing a pedophile priest rather than covering it up as they wanted.. the lawsuit, filed in palm beach county circuit court, accuses the diocese and bishop gerald barbarito of defaming the rev.
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AndersonsInfo
WEST PALM BEACH —
A former priest at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church on Wednesday sued the Diocese of Palm Beach, claiming it punished him for exposing a pedophile priest rather than covering it up as they wanted.
The lawsuit, filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court, accuses the diocese and Bishop Gerald Barbarito of defaming the Rev. John Gallagher. The 49-year-old priest pointed to a statement posted last year on the diocesan website that said Gallagher was “blatantly lying” and “in need of professional assistance” for claiming church leaders urged him not to tell police a visiting priest in January 2015 had shown pornographic pictures to a 14-year-old youth at the suburban West Palm Beach church.
“Today is a sad day,” said Gallagher, who was wearing a clerical collar at a morning press conference. “Thirty years of my life has been destroyed by the Roman church.”
His attorney, Ted Babbitt, said his treatment is especially heinous because the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Francis has pledged to vigorously root out priests accused of sex offenses.
Gallagher says that when he learned of transgressions by a visiting priest, the Rev. Jose Varkey Palimattom, diocesan leaders told him the best course of action was to put Palimattom on a plane back to his home in India. Gallagher said he also learned Palimattom had a history of inappropriate conduct with children in India, making Gallagher suspect the church was continuing its well-documented practice of moving problem priests to other parishes.
After Gallagher worked with Palm Beach County sheriff’s detectives to prosecute Palimattom, he was locked out of the church on Southern Boulevard and Military Trail. While he was lauded by Chief Deputy Sheriff Michael Gauger for working with detectives, he was treated like a pariah by diocesan leaders, Babbitt said.
Further, Gallagher said, his pleas for assistance from other church leaders, including those at the Vatican, went unanswered.
He said he reached out to Cardinal Sean Patrick O’Malley, who was sent to Palm Beach County in 2002 to become its bishop after two of his predecessors were removed as a result of sexual misconduct. O’Malley, who went on to lead the troubled Catholic Church in Boston after it was rocked by priest pedophile scandals and was later elevated to cardinal, offered no help, Gallagher said.
Sadly, Babbitt said, Gallagher’s treatment shows the church has not taken steps to deal with abuses that were detailed last year in the award-winning movie, “Spotlight.”
“It’s exactly the same attitude,” he said. Like priests in the movie that chronicled the Boston Globe’s 2002 investigation of sexual misconduct by Catholic clergy, church leaders wanted to deny wrongdoing. “It shows the Catholic Church has learned nothing despite years of abuse scandals,” Babbitt said.
Dianne Laubert, a diocesan spokeswoman, said officials hadn’t seen the lawsuit. But, she said, their view of Gallagher’s allegations haven’t changed since they surfaced last January. In a statement that Barbarito on Jan. 29 asked be read during church services throughout the diocese, he denied the allegations.
“Our Diocese in no way, as Father Gallagher erroneously asserts, tried to ‘cover up’ the inappropriate behavior of a visiting priest,” Barbarito wrote. “In fact, in accord with our very rigorous policies pertaining to the protection of children, we not only immediately reported the incident to the police and State Attorney, but cooperated as fully as we could in the investigation.”
“Father Gallagher’s harmful assertions are an embarrassment to my brother priests as well as me,” the bishop wrote.
The diocese also posted three statements about Gallagher on its website last year. In one, it wrote: “Father Gallagher is blatantly lying and is in need of professional assistance as well as our prayers and mercy.”
Palimattom pleaded guilty in April 2015 to a charge of showing obscene material to a minor and was sentenced to six months in jail.
Last year as the controversy brewed, The Palm Beach Post reported that some fellow priests claimed Gallagher was upset that he was passed over for promotions and had numerous problems since arriving in the diocese from his home in Northern Ireland roughly 20 years ago.
In the lawsuit, Gallagher said the experience has reignited the post-traumatic stress disorder he suffers as a result of horrors he suffered in his war torn homeland. As pressure increased from church leaders to ignore Palimattom’s misdeeds, he was hospitalized with a heart attack. Upon his release, he discovered he was locked out of his home and his church, Babbitt said.
Gallagher said he has received no support from priests in the five-county diocese or any of the roughly 3,000 families who were members of the congregation. He said the diocesan’s statements against him are ironic.
One of the 10 Commandments dictates that “thou shall not bear false witness,” he said. “They used the pulpit to defame my name and my character.”
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Press in SPAIN report JW members go to JW headquarters to file a complaint for not receiving documents on cases of abuse they requested
by AndersonsInfo inhttp://www.lainformacion.com/politica/derechos-humanos/exmiembros-testigos-jehova-denunciaran-entregarles_0_990801892.html.
http://www.telecinco.es/informativos/sociedad/exmiembros-testigos-jehova-denunciaran-entregarles_0_2308950586.html.
https://okdiario.com/sociedad/2017/01/16/ex-miembros-testigos-jehova-acusan-organizacion-ocultar-ley-miles-casos-abusos-sexuales-menores-671613jehovah's witness members will report to the organization for failing to provide them with documents regarding child abuse.
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AndersonsInfo
https://okdiario.com/sociedad/2017/01/16/ex-miembros-testigos-jehova-acusan-organizacion-ocultar-ley-miles-casos-abusos-sexuales-menores-671613
Jehovah's Witness members will report to the organization for failing to provide them with documents regarding child abuseBy EUROPA PRESS / lainformacion.com
MADRID | 1/16/2017 - 3:00 p.m.
The AbusosTJ group, which represents ex-members of Jehovah's Witnesses who report cases of sexual abuse in congregations, will file a complaint against the entity by not providing them with documents on cases of abuse that they requested and which, Envelopes and clandestine files. "According to them, in Spain, "dozens" of victims have contacted them.
The members of this collective Miguel García López and Israel Florez, went to the national headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses in Ajalvir (Madrid) this Monday, January 16, after having requested through a burofax with certified content to the president of the Board of Directors National of the Jehovah's Witnesses in Spain the delivery of "all the secret documents that the confession keeps on their cases of abuse of minors."
The group has indicated that they have received a negative response to their request and that they have not been attended by any executive or ecclesiastical office of the confession, so they have informed the receptionist that they will file a complaint.
Members of TJ Abuses call for "redress and justice," the change of all "secret" protocols imposed by the Governing Body of Jehovah's Witnesses, and a clear indication to local elders that Police or Civil Guard any indication of child abuse.Last December, the group wrote an open letter to the National Board of Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watch Tower Bible in Brooklyn, New York, the legal entity that supports the work, in which they complain that Congregations hide sexual abuse and demand justice.
"To the demands in the United States will continue our commitment and defense of the rights of the children, in all the instances and means of communication throughout Europe. Nothing will stop us in our personal commitment to achieve, without hate or grudge, reparation and justice for All victims of child abuse within the cult of the Watch Tower, "the letter said.
Specifically, they complained that when a member of Jehovah's Witnesses is accused of sexual abuse, congregations have "secret" courts with internal rules that judge cases and "silence the victims." As they say, "thousands of children" have been victims. -
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Trey Bundy 13-minute interview at C.I.R. headquarters re: allegations of sex abuse among JWs. You will find this video quite "revealing"
by AndersonsInfo inhttps://www.facebook.com/thisisreveal/videos/1265278083563107/?utm_source=reveal+newsletters&utm_campaign=41ea55c5ef-the_weekly_reveal_01_10_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c38de7c444-41ea55c5ef-229964425.
january 5, 2017. reporter trey bundy discusses his reporting on allegations of sex abuse among jehovah’s witnesses.
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AndersonsInfo
Please support Trey Bundy by commenting about his Reveal interview as 44 others have done on the Reveal Facebook page, especially about his continual efforts to talk to law authorities about the Watchtower's cover-up of child abuse. He's not giving up, nor should we.
BTW, if we want media coverage about this issue, we have to do our part and talk to the press. Don't forget the victims and what they have gone through, first by the molester, then by the Watchtower's efforts to silence them.
Thank you.
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12
Trey Bundy 13-minute interview at C.I.R. headquarters re: allegations of sex abuse among JWs. You will find this video quite "revealing"
by AndersonsInfo inhttps://www.facebook.com/thisisreveal/videos/1265278083563107/?utm_source=reveal+newsletters&utm_campaign=41ea55c5ef-the_weekly_reveal_01_10_17&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c38de7c444-41ea55c5ef-229964425.
january 5, 2017. reporter trey bundy discusses his reporting on allegations of sex abuse among jehovah’s witnesses.
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AndersonsInfo
January 5, 2017
Reporter Trey Bundy discusses his reporting on allegations of sex abuse among Jehovah’s Witnesses.
