MO - Six Mohler family members for child sex crimes, Bates City 2009 #2

[Salem]

Yepperz - have you found anything yet on LDS response to BM Jr's arrest? I noticed on an unofficial site that there was no mention of BM Jr. being a member of LDS church.

http://mormonism-unveiled.blogspot.com/2009/11/mohler-case-three-of-six-missouri-men.html


Found another article that says BM Jr. joined the LDS church in 1982:

"However, because the search of files was for anyone with the Mohler name, we discovered that Burrell Edward Mohler, Jr. and his wife, J*** M*** Mohler, joined the Mormon Church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) in 1982 and their membership with Community of Christ was withdrawn," the church's statement continues.

http://www.komu.com/satellite/Satel...4c70b769/0fb6c3a6-80ce-0971-01b6-192afe8a828f

Still looking for a statement from BM Jr's current church.

Hey - Texas - can you edit your original post and change JMM full name to initials, please? If you hit the little arrow by your name in the quote above it will take you directly to your post.

Because JMM has not been named as being under investigation and she may be a victim, we should use her initials only. I know she was named in the media and linking to the article is fine. But by using her full name, once the media takes the article down, we will still have her plastered all over WS, which can be taken to other sites, kwim?

I don't think we should throw this poor woman to the sharks just yet although she has my hinky meter in the red.

TIA,

Salem

ETA - I see the same thing happened on the BBurch dude. I'm going to make a distinction here and say his name can be used because he is being quoted. In other words, he is bringing the attention to himself, whereas in the JMM article, the media is just giving info.

I could be wrong and will check with the mods to see what we are supposed to do?

 

[Salem]

O/T - here is a link to a thread that discusses some of the question posters have had regarding what is okay and what isn't. I think it is a great thread, because you an ask questions there and because the answers are pretty plain and simple: [ame="http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91068"]New Rules on Sex Offenders and Rumors. - Websleuths Crime Sleuthing Community[/ame]

Some of this stuff came up in the Lindsey and Somer threads about what could be posted about RSO's (but there is lots of other stuff there). Also questions about myspace and facebook links.

I don't think we have looked or found any myspace/facebook links for this case, have we? If so I missed it.

Salem

 

[mysteriew]

I would like to know why media is not talking more about the 10 year old child who was allegedly pregnant back in the 80's? And why LE doesn't appear to be investigating that more?

 

[newcomer]

I would like to know why media is not talking more about the 10 year old child who was allegedly pregnant back in the 80's? And why LE doesn't appear to be investigating that more?

My guess would be they're gathering evidence as they go along and there's not a lot of evidence of the 10 year old's pregnancy & abortion just yet. Might be hard to prove if the abortion was done privately in the home. LE is probably following up on charges that the evidence is backing up. Seems like those tapes are very chilling.

 

[mysteriew]

My guess would be they're gathering evidence as they go along and there's not a lot of evidence of the 10 year old's pregnancy & abortion just yet. Might be hard to prove if the abortion was done privately in the home. LE is probably following up on charges that the evidence is backing up. Seems like those tapes are very chilling.

Thanks Newcomer and welcome to WS!

IIRC the pregnancy had already come out officially at the time that she was pregnant and supposedly came to offical attention at that time. I haven't seen any indication as to what happened to the pregnancy, if it was aborted or came to term or what happened to the child. Also no indication that anything resulted from the offical attention.

This seems to be another of those cases where everyone seems to have dropped the ball. From the mothers and grandmothers, to the church and the officals.

 

[ohiogirl]

Bill Bruch, a former in-law of Mohler Sr., was in court this week to support his family, even though, he admitted, they might be guilty.

"I think that's possible," Bruch told ABCNews.com. "It's certainly a contrast to what I knew about him years ago when he was married to my cousin. It seems really out of character."

.....

Bruch said he and other members of the family would continue to attend the men's court hearing, simply to support their own.

"If I were in that position, I would certainly appreciate support from friends and family, even if I were guilty," he said.

I think if I were guilty of these charges, I would expect no support whatsoever from friends and family, and would probably get none. What is he thinking?

 

[Linda7NJ]

Bill Bruch, a former in-law of Mohler Sr., was in court this week to support his family, even though, he admitted, they might be guilty.

"I think that's possible," Bruch told ABCNews.com. "It's certainly a contrast to what I knew about him years ago when he was married to my cousin. It seems really out of character."

.....

Bruch said he and other members of the family would continue to attend the men's court hearing, simply to support their own.

"If I were in that position, I would certainly appreciate support from friends and family, even if I were guilty," he said.

I think if I were guilty of theses charges, I would expect no support whatsoever from friend and family, and would probably get non. What is he thinking?[/quote]

BBM

I agree! Makes ya wonder, doesn't it?

 

[ohiogirl]

Makes me wonder if he knows something.

 

[Missizzy]

Has anyone else watched the video concerning the change of denomination over to the LDS church? The handwritten letter shown in the video clearly shows the date as 1993:

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-story-moh...,7312538.story

You may be right, Texas Mist, but I find it odd--especially that the media would say one date and run a photo of a document with another date on it. I stopped the video and read it and it's pretty clear. I hate to sound like a broken record but I want to know when the Mohler Jr. family did indeed move across the street to the other church. Something seems fishy to me.

BTW, there's very little info concerning former Bishop Paul Tonga, who admitted yesterday that JM came to him with concerns. I did find mention that a number of missionaries from Tonga have settled in Independence in the 70s and 80s and brought a certain "island vibrancy" to the congregation. I find very little in print attributed to this Bishop, however. It's interesting to note, however, that at one point the Mohler Jr. family lived only seven blocks from a house the Bishop lived in. Not sure if it was at the same time.

I wonder if Bishop Tonga was leading the congregation as an "interim" or guest pastor (I'm not familiar with the LDS church protocol as I was raised American Baptist) and was a bit unclear on the US laws on mandatory reporting which took effect in the late 60s (found that for Chicana). I also wonder if Bishop Tonga is indeed from Tonga and thus his cultural approach might be slightly different. I noticed that he has a strong accent in the interview but have no proof of his ethnicity or nationality. He only agreed to be interviewed by phone. Just pondering.

 

[Missizzy]

IWannaKnow--Interesting that that particular video, Pornocchio was released in 1987. I checked on the other one, "Mystery Voyeur", and found that it was released in 2006. However, I also noted that the three "stars" were born in 1970, 1977, and 1978. I know make-up and air-brushing can do wonders but I really doubt that these women were 36, 29, and 28 at the time of the filming. They look much younger.

I wonder if this video was released much earlier as a video (the furniture and hairstyles don't look current to 2006--body parts pretty much always look the same), possibly in 1996 when the youngest actress would have been 18. I know that's a little late given our time line but wanted to throw it into the pot.

Just hanging out over in the "Erotica" section--you know, my all time favorite place to be...yuck.

 

[Missizzy]

Here's a partial transcript of Bishop Paul Tonga (I'm assuming that we can use his name as he's admitting he spoke to the children) as he speaks to a Fox reporter by phone:

“The beginning of the problem I was aware that she was accusing him of being…". "Sexual abuse?" asked the reporter. "Yeah, sexual abuse or whatever,” said Paul Tonga, former Mormon Bishop.

Whatever?? Whatever?? I'm having a hard time with this. I'm also not so sure Bishop Tonga ever headed that church. I can't find a thing. I'd also like to ask a couple of other posters to go to this link in full screen:

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-story-moh...,7312538.story

and stop when the documents are shown. See what you can read. Do you see anything about leaving the Community of Christ in 1982? I don't. I'd be very interested if anyone else can transcribe what they think they can read.

The Mohler mess has become a hot potato for these two churches.

 

[Texas Mist]

Here's a partial transcript of Bishop Paul Tonga (I'm assuming that we can use his name as he's admitting he spoke to the children) as he speaks to a Fox reporter by phone:

“The beginning of the problem I was aware that she was accusing him of being…". "Sexual abuse?" asked the reporter. "Yeah, sexual abuse or whatever,” said Paul Tonga, former Mormon Bishop.

Whatever?? Whatever?? I'm having a hard time with this. I'm also not so sure Bishop Tonga ever headed that church. I can't find a thing. I'd also like to ask a couple of other posters to go to this link in full screen:

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-story-moh...,7312538.story

and stop when the documents are shown. See what you can read. Do you see anything about leaving the Community of Christ in 1982? I don't. I'd be very interested if anyone else can transcribe what they think they can read.

The Mohler mess has become a hot potato for these two churches.

MissIzzy - part of that document appears to say "I'm sorry we're so late in taking care of this"...still trying to read more -- could make out the words "ill feelings" but trying to get more words before & after those.

I'd say 11 years might be a little late in taking care of many things...BBL if I can figure out more of it.

ETA: here's what I've figured out so far


"- WITHDRAWAL REQUEST FORM -"

"RESIDENCY.....Please withdraw my name from memb"
"URCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS. Comments"

"wanted you to know that we have no ill feelings"
"of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints"
"good influence that your church has had on the"
"will establish Zion together"

underneath "TO BE COMPLETED BY ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE" there is more handwriting:
"we have become aware that"
"his wife joined the Mormon"
"1982. When contacted to inquire wha"


and here's a working link for those who want to give it a try, too.

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-story-mohler-church-official-111909,0,7312538.story

 

[PAXIMUS]

Has anyone else watched the video concerning the change of denomination over to the LDS church? The handwritten letter shown in the video clearly shows the date as 1993:

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-story-moh...,7312538.story

You may be right, Texas Mist, but I find it odd--especially that the media would say one date and run a photo of a document with another date on it. I stopped the video and read it and it's pretty clear. I hate to sound like a broken record but I want to know when the Mohler Jr. family did indeed move across the street to the other church. Something seems fishy to me.

BTW, there's very little info concerning former Bishop Paul Tonga, who admitted yesterday that JM came to him with concerns. I did find mention that a number of missionaries from Tonga have settled in Independence in the 70s and 80s and brought a certain "island vibrancy" to the congregation. I find very little in print attributed to this Bishop, however. It's interesting to note, however, that at one point the Mohler Jr. family lived only seven blocks from a house the Bishop lived in. Not sure if it was at the same time.

I wonder if Bishop Tonga was leading the congregation as an "interim" or guest pastor (I'm not familiar with the LDS church protocol as I was raised American Baptist) and was a bit unclear on the US laws on mandatory reporting which took effect in the late 60s (found that for Chicana). I also wonder if Bishop Tonga is indeed from Tonga and thus his cultural approach might be slightly different. I noticed that he has a strong accent in the interview but have no proof of his ethnicity or nationality. He only agreed to be interviewed by phone. Just pondering.

Your link wont work for me, what are you referring to with the change of denomination comment? I missed something it seems.

 

[PAXIMUS]

Letter to the editor of the Examiner:

By Robert G. Fisher
Submitted to The Examiner
Posted Nov 18, 2009 @ 12:28 AM

Independence, MO — To the editor:

Someone needs to say, “Let’s presume the Mohlers innocent.” I have known Burrell Mohler Sr. for 35 years. I handled a civil case for him in the 1970s. His late first wife worked for my father-in-law. More recently, he and I both volunteered at Independence Regional Health Center. I have seen nothing to suggest that Burrell is anything but decent and honorable. He deserves his day in court before anyone judges him.

I watched Sheriff Alumbaugh’s press conference. All he has shown us so far are accusations. He has a motive to be sensational. Critics say he spent too much money on a “swearing match,” i.e., a case built on deniable testimony. He stood before a chart that made the Mohler family look like a Mafia organization. He staged a dramatic search for “bodies” on some open land.

The crimes allegedly took place between 1988 and 1995. Maybe the prosecution will prevail, maybe it won’t. The proper place to try the case is in court, not in the press.

 

[Missizzy]

See what you think about the date and the name of the church. To me, it looks as if it is a document about the Mohler family leaving the LDS church and is dated Nov. '93. It just doesn't jive at all with the voiceover. I wonder if there's another document we haven't heard about.

I'm really wondering about this former Bishop. I find an address on Zaba but I can't find anything linking him to the LDS church--only a history center. He definitely has a strong accent and might be from Tonga. I thought this quote on Wikipedia was interesting:

"By their own church statistics, Mormons claim 48 percent of the population to substantiate their claim that Tonga is the most Mormon nation in the world."

I just have a funny feeling that maybe this man was originally from Tonga and his name was difficult to pronounce so he was called Paul Tonga. He might have been a visiting missionary who had no idea about reporting laws. Just a wild thought and I apologize if I offend with this statement. FWIW, he didn't know his nose from a grub about the handling of sexual disclosures IMO. I really wish JM would have followed the rules we teach children...tell someone and if they don't listen, tell someone else!!

I'd love to hear from these kids' teachers and neighbors. It just breaks my heart to think that they suffered without anyone noticing. Imagine the message given to these victims. Nobody wants to know.

 

[PAXIMUS]

See what you think about the date and the name of the church. To me, it looks as if it is a document about the Mohler family leaving the LDS church and is dated Nov. '93. It just doesn't jive at all with the voiceover. I wonder if there's another document we haven't heard about.

I'm really wondering about this former Bishop. I find an address on Zaba but I can't find anything linking him to the LDS church--only a history center. He definitely has a strong accent and might be from Tonga. I thought this quote on Wikipedia was interesting:

"By their own church statistics, Mormons claim 48 percent of the population to substantiate their claim that Tonga is the most Mormon nation in the world."

I just have a funny feeling that maybe this man was originally from Tonga and his name was difficult to pronounce so he was called Paul Tonga. He might have been a visiting missionary who had no idea about reporting laws. Just a wild thought and I apologize if I offend with this statement. FWIW, he didn't know his nose from a grub about the handling of sexual disclosures IMO. I really wish JM would have followed the rules we teach children...tell someone and if they don't listen, tell someone else!!

I'd love to hear from these kids' teachers and neighbors. It just breaks my heart to think that they suffered without anyone noticing. Imagine the message given to these victims. Nobody wants to know.

Interesting. So you are saying there is possibly some evidence that Mohler Sr was a mainstream LDS Mormon until 93 and then he joined the RLDS? I am confused.

 

[Texas Mist]

OT sort of-- another case of 26yo vic who reporting she was abused as 12yo

McGregor said it's not uncommon for a victim of sexual abuse to come forward years after the incidents.

"It's... called delayed disclosure," he said.


http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2009/11/kenner_police_man_arrested_for.html

 

[jjj]

Interesting. So you are saying there is possibly some evidence that Mohler Sr was a mainstream LDS Mormon until 93 and then he joined the RLDS? I am confused.

I also noticed the date & stopped the video. The writing underneath is Jr apologizing to RLDS that it took him so long to get around to officially withdrawing. From that I infer that Jr & JM started going to LDS rather than RLDS in '82, but didn't officially leave RLDS till '93. I believe Sr and the other brothers never left RLDS (aka Community of Christ.)

Regarding the wife going to church officials rather than law enforcement, this is an unfortunate part of Mormon culture (something similar came up in the Smart case - don't remember exactly but might've been about reporting the attempted break-in at the cousin's house.) While it's unthinkable from outside, it was the logical thing for her to do.

 

[pennydawn]

Texas Mist said: "I noticed the date on that document too MissIzzy...maybe BM Jr left in 1982 & had a diff wife at that time....and IIRC, one of these mothers was married to a brother, they divorced & she married a diff. brother -- which brothers were married to the same woman (I can't remember)???"


OMG...brothers married to the same woman? Is this true? or a guess? (Sorry, I'm not good at online acronyms, and I have no idea what IIRC means...)

If it's true, the woman who married two brothers needs to be interviewed ASAP. I mean, was she shared? And then decided she liked the other brother better?

I'm very confused by this family.

PD

 

[Missizzy]

Thanks, Texas Mist and JJJ--It's clearer now. So, Burrell Jr. waited 11 years to essentially move his membership. I wonder why it took so long? I'm still unclear as to whom he was married to at the time. I'm primarily wondering about custody of the children if there were divorces during the time of the alleged abuses. Does anyone have anything solid about when Burrell Jr. and JM married and divorced?

JJJ--I just noticed that that was your first post, welcome. Glad to have you!!

Still no news on who our 27 year old mystery woman is and why SM was back with Burrell Sr. I've scoured the Topix forums and haven't found much.

Paximus, the letter is interesting. I recall how many caring and concerned people sent letters such as that one in support of the teen who raped our kids. I certainly can't fault a man for speaking up for a person he knows. I hope he keeps an open mind.

Texas Mist--That is a great phrase, "delayed disclosure". I think it fits the bill. When you think about it, parents get these all the time. My adult kids love to share a bottle of wine and see who can best shock Mom with their "delayed disclosures" ie. "you mean we never told you that we got caught on a borrowed motorcycle in the middle of a field at 3 am?" or "you really believed me when I told you that I had the towel stuffed under my door because I didn't want my perfume to bother you". They can be slightly naughty like those and something that parents of twenty-somethings get all the time.

They can be also be tremendously traumatic ie. one I got about a month ago. Note, this could be a trigger for some. I was trimming a snippet of poodle curls off of one of my sweet doggies who was going to be put down due to old age health problems. My daughter was watching me when she commented "Ryan cut my hair like that". I just about dropped the dog. She was referring to something that happened 11-12 years ago when she was 8. She also is deaf and has an IQ of 50. She'd never seen me snip fur like this. I usually do it privately as it's a very emotional thing and a way I say good-bye. I keep a token of fur tied up with ribbon for every dog we've rescued (22 so far) in my jewelry box. My daughter kind of walked in on me and I was explaining that this doggie was getting ready to go to heaven (or over the rainbow somewhere). She watched for a minute and popped off with her statement. I could tell it had never occurred to tell me before as I'd never asked specifically (she's very concrete). When she saw me doing the same action, it triggered an almost forgotten memory. She African American and he must have snipped a little hair off. I gently asked her about it but all she would say is that he cut it with his "knife like Daddy's and put it in his pocket". When she walked out of the room, she added "he did it to A (her sister) too." I was just left standing there stuck in that vortex of nastiness. That's a delayed disclosure IMO.