Testimony Begins In Sex Crime Case
- February 19, 2009
Joseph R. Gaines III, 60, faces 2 felony charges
ROCK PORT, Mo. — A jury of two women and 10 men will decide the fate of a Northwest Missouri preacher and part-time police officer charged with sex crimes.
The state charged Joseph R. Gaines III, 60, with two felony counts of first-degree child molestation and two counts of first-degree statutory sodomy in 2006. The case stems from Mr. Gaines’ alleged violation of two girls under the age of 14.
Atchison County Prosecutor Dan Smith told jurors Wednesday that while there will be contradictory witness testimony, the evidence would show the actions of Mr. Gaines to be disheartening and troubling, and jurors should find the man guilty on all four counts.
Defense attorney Jak Jacoby told jurors his client is being attacked by an emotionally disturbed mother wanting attention. This mother will sway her children in her attempt to convict Mr. Gaines of crimes he didn’t commit, the defense attorney from Independence, Mo., said.
The Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department investigated the case because Mr. Gaines has served as a police officer in Fairfax, Rock Port and Tarkio, as well as being a reserve deputy for the Atchison County Sheriff’s Department. Mr. Gaines’ grandfather served as the county sheriff from 1945 to 1964.
One of the first prosecution witnesses Wednesday was retired St. Joseph police officer Carol Cummings, a 29-year veteran who specialized in interviewing children who were witnesses to crimes or the victims of crimes. Ms. Cummings told the court she’d interviewed more than 4,200 children during her career.
Attorneys questioned the witness about the techniques and procedures she used when interviewing children.
The criminal case is being presided over by Circuit Judge Roger Prokes, and attorneys expect the case to last into Friday.
During a court recess Wednesday, the tall, clean-shaven preacher was surrounded by family and friends who hugged him and offered words of encouragement. If convicted, Mr. Gaines could serve five years to life in prison.
CITED FROM:
http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/feb/19/testimony-begins-sex-crime-case/?local
