by Kenneson 32 Replies latest watchtower child-abuse
From Spokane, Washington:
See "Jehovah's Witnesses ex-elder sued. Man who was church leader was convicted of sexual misconduct with friends' daughter."
The ex-elder is Edward N. Davis. The victim is Aimey M. Vigue.
http://www.spokesmanreview.com/spokane-news-story.asp?date=060404&ID=s1526105&cat=section.spokane
Am i doing something wrong? The link you posted wants me to sign in.
Well the hook line says
Jehovah?s Witnesses, ex-elder sued
The family of a girl who was molested by a former Jehovah's Witnesses church elder has filed a civil lawsuit against the former leader and the church.
but you can't read the story unless you subscribe. Anyone here have a subscription? And can post the story?
kls I went to the link on the left that said news and got the quote but once you click on that you qwill get the sign in form again
Subscription is free so I signed up
Jehovah?s Witnesses, ex-elder sued
Man who was church leader was convicted of sexual misconduct with friends? daughter
Kevin Blocker
Staff writer
The family of a girl who was molested by a former Jehovah's Witnesses church elder has filed a civil lawsuit against the former leader and the church.
Last October, Edward N. Davis, 40, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for molesting Aimey M. Vigue, 19. The abuse began when Vigue was 10, according to Superior Court records. Davis was an elder at the Jehovah's Witness Opportunity Kingdom Hall when the abuse occurred. Vigue's parents were close friends with Davis, according to the lawsuit.
Church officials declined to comment about the lawsuit.
Davis was convicted of sexually abusing Vigue during a vacation with her family in 1994, say court records. During the summer of 1997, while on a camping trip at Priest Lake organized by the church, Davis fondled the girl, the lawsuit said. And, in 2002, when Vigue turned 18 and moved out of her parents' home, Davis frequently called her, seeking to have sex with her, according to the lawsuit.
Vigue's parents, Robert Vigue and Kay Vigue, became aware of the abuse in 2002, court records state. Kay Vigue confronted Davis over the phone and he admitted the abuse, according to court records. The family approached other elders of the Opportunity Kingdom Hall to ask for guidance. Jehovah's Witness elders are unpaid volunteers who are selected to lead the congregation, making them similar to pastors.
Church elders agreed to ?disfellowship? Davis and removed him from the church for two years. But just six months into his removal, he was back in the church, though not as an elder, records say. That's when the Vigues went to police.
?The Vigues were required to show respect and obedience at all times to the elders and officials of the Jehovah's Witnesses Church,? said the lawsuit, drafted by Spokane attorney David Miller.
?The church knew, or should have known that Davis posed a clear and present danger of sexual assault on minor children coming into contact with him,? Miller wrote.
Miller, in an interview on Thursday, said: ?In cases like these, victims feel they need to be forgiven when in fact it's the church that should be asking the victims for forgiveness. People in these types of positions of power need to earn the respect of their congregants and not automatically get it.?
The lawsuit alleges Vigue continues to suffer emotional trauma and harm as a result of the assaults.
Davis was originally charged with first-degree sexual misconduct and stalking. He pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. In addition to jail time, a judge gave Davis two years' probation. He also is required to register as a sex offender.
Friday June 4, 2004
Thanks Lady Lee. I have yet to learn how to post a story like that from another site on to this one. I was about to type it in, but I'm glad you beat me to it.
He only got 90 days and 2 years probation?
90days? 3months? that is it ? Bad words are just aflowingand my anger just about peaked.
Kenneson
First I have both windows open )Here and the other site) I simply highlight the story and copy it to my clipboard and then come here and paste it into the posting box.
40 years ago when I took my father to court for 3 years of incest (pre-JW association) he was given a $50 fine and a three year suspended sentence (in Toronto Canada in 1963). Things really haven't changed much I'm afraid when it comes to how the courts recognize the damage done by sexual abuse to a child
I remember that case! We discussed it here back on October 2003:
http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/8/60547/1.ashx
The original news back then read:
http://www.kxly.com/common/getStory.asp?id=31876
Former church leader sentenced for sexual abuse | |
| A former Spokane Valley church elder has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for sexually molesting a girl in his congregation over eight years. 40-year-old Edward N. Davis was an elder at the Jehovah's Witness Opportunity Kingdom Hall when the abuse occurred from the time the girl was 10 until she was 18. The victim's family went to police after Davis returned to the church six months after church elders agreed to ``disfellowship'' him for two years. Davis originally was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct and stalking. He pleaded guilty to second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor. In addition to the jail time, he will be on probation for two years and is required to register as a sex offender. |
