A special judge has denied motions to exclude video filed by the defense attorneys in the First United Methodist Church criminal child abuse case against the former pastor and former daycare director.
Paige Williams and Abby Leach are each charged with eight counts of complicity to first-degree criminal abuse of a child under 12. The two women are accused of “breaching” their duties to protect the children from the hands of former daycare workers Allison Simpson and Nina Morgan, who were both convicted in Christian County Circuit Court last year for their roles in this case.
In court Monday afternoon, Williams and her attorney, Bill Deatherage and Leach’s attorney, David Bundrick, along with Special Prosecutor Blake Chambers appeared virtually before Special Judge Brian Wiggins who was assigned to the case after Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins recused himself from the case in August of last year.
Bundrick argued that he believes a foundation needs to be laid before the jury sees the videos.
click to download audioDeatherage said their position is similar and that in addition to proper authentication, it must also be established that his client was aware of the type of behavior depicted in the video as well as the employees and children involved.
click to download audioChambers disagreed and said this is a “permitting abuse case” with both defendants “in custody of the children and permitting the abuse.” He noted, “these videos are the evidence of the alleged abuse that was permitted.”
click to download audioChambers also said he believes a foundation can be laid that the video is authentic and his trial strategy is to start off with the videos.
click to download audioAfter hearing the arguments, Judge Wiggins denied the motion filed by Bundrick and Deatherage.
click to download audioJudge Wiggins set a final pretrial conference for 2:30 next Monday afternoon, February 20, to tie up any loose ends before the trial begins on February 27th.
Former daycare worker Allison Simpson was sentenced by Judge Atkins in July of 2022 to a total of 20 years in prison with former daycare worker Nina Morgan sentenced to one year in the Christian County Jail. Simpson was convicted by a Christian Circuit Court jury in June of 2022 of twelve counts of criminal abuse of a child 12 or under, and Morgan was convicted of one count of third-degree criminal abuse of a child 12 or under.
