stillconcerned says, “McLean wasn't single, he was married with children. He created activities that would attract kids, all known victims were enticed from Kingdom Halls. Most of his victims came from homes with 'single moms'. I've represented the victims.”
“Actually he was married with two children.”
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=35566
Cops say that Frederick "Rick" McLean was described as a loner by those who knew him. An expert mechanic who was financially successful in the business of buying, restoring, and reselling vintage CanAm and open-wheel race cars from the 60's and 70's, McLean lived and worked in the San Diego and Riverside counties of southern California.
According to US Marshals, McLean was a Ministerial Servant in the Jehovah's Witnesses and was utilizing his position of trust to commit sexual crimes against young girls - some no more than five years old.
You're not adding any information that confirms anything, you're adding information that conflicts with what's been publicly stated. You would think that with something of this importance, people would get their story straight. What's been stated, is “McLean was a described as a loner by those who knew him and was utilizing his position of trust as a ministerial servant to commit sexual crimes against young girls.” If he was married with two children, that's not who he was.
'Before going to the authorities, it's best that there's incrementing evidence against a person so that there's a successful prosecution. Substantial evidence would be; more than one eye-witness, physical evidence or if the abuse is an on going matter (meaning a person knows the same thing is going to happen again).'
“This statement stands in direct opposition to existing mandatory reporting requirements in all states, including the state of California, where McLean was prosecuted. Investigation is undertaken, and evidence is gathered by law enforcement authorities, not untrained laymen, by LAW.”
http://www.jw-media.org/aboutjw/article23.htm
In addition to making a report to the branch office, the elders may be required by law to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities. If so, the elders receive proper legal direction to ensure that they comply with the law. Additionally, the victim or anyone else who has knowledge of the allegation may wish to report the matter to the authorities, and it is his or her absolute right to do so.
This wasn't stated in reference to the elders. This was stated in reference to anyone else who has knowledge of the allegation. Under law, the elders may be required to report even uncorroborated or unsubstantiated allegations to the authorities and this they must do, but if it remains uncorroborated or unsubstantiated it won't lead to a successful prosecution or even the accused being charged. In any community of friends and family, it's best you have something credible to present to the local authorities before you accuse someone of abusing children.
“Of the two dozen known victims, one told a parent and was dismissed. The girl who reported to police was encouraged by family and congregational authorities to drop the complaint. Thankfully, she refused.
What is your basis in fact for this statement? Names? Time frame?
What is your basis in FACT for these statements?
This is an astonishingly naive statement. 'Upon prosecution the elders would be removed and possibly prosecuted'?
Frankly, you don't have a clue as to the FACTS of this scenario. Interesting that you feel free to fabricate.”
http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=35566
Authorities say that McLean was confronted a number of times over the years by those he molested, but Jehovah's Witnesses judicial committees require two witnesses to an event of molestation before taking any kind of disciplinary action. Detectives believe that by moving from one Kingdom Hall congregation to another, McLean was able to keep his crimes mostly hidden for 25 to 30 years, before finally being "outed" to the general public and "disfellowshipped", or expelled, from the religion.
As stated above; (additionally, the victim or anyone else who has knowledge of the allegation may wish to report the matter to the authorities, and it is his or her absolute right to do so).
Unless you have a problem with reading and comprehension, there was plenty of evidence that others had aside from the elders to put this man away. You say one of the victims had an unethical family, but what about the other 23?
I'm not necessarily blaming the parents as I'm questioning the integrity of the story. Throughout the alleged involvement with this man, the plaintiffs were indignant enough to file suit against the legal organization used by Jehovah's Witnesses, but over a 25 to 30 year time frame, they were never indignant enough to contact to the authorities even though according to this story the perpetrator would have been easy to prosecute. Considering the time frame, they had plenty of time to do so. The plaintiffs seem to have their own flavor of criminal justice. When greed is a motivating factor, people don't necessarily speak the truth. There was obviously something that happened here, this man did do something, but there's also plenty of evidence that suggests this story about McLean was blown way out of proportion by the plaintiffs and the associated press. If there's real evidence to put someone away there's nothing the elders can do to cover anything up. No one is above the law. You didn't represent anyone here. You would at least know what the media has released about this case.
