MO - Six Mohler family members for child sex crimes, Bates City 2009 #3

[Texas Mist]

nothing new that I can find in the news related to this case...guess we'll have to wait until next week's hearing...IIRC, there's another one for the 2 w/o attorneys.

Wonder if they're making any headway?


ETA -- here's the dates

Burrell is expected to return to court Tuesday, Dec. 22. As part of the appeal process for a public defender, he is required to have two letter from attorneys saying they would not represent him.

Roland is expected in court again on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

 

[Missizzy]

While things are quiet in this case, I've been doing some reading. I've found a number of ex-Mormon sites. Most include what are called "exit stories". It is absolutely heart-breaking how many members have left due to sexual abuse by church-going relatives or at the hands of church elders.

I guess it shouldn't surprise me, but almost without exception, these people miss the church and blame themselves to a large degree. They honestly believe that they somehow should have fought harder to protect their "purity". This particular story really touched me. There's a link at the bottom of the page to email the author. I don't know why, but it seems that we've seen her name before.

http://www.exmormon.org/whylft61.htm

 

[Missizzy]

http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-agora/index.php?site=exmobb&bn=exmobb_recovery


"......Also, another very smart strategy that the church uses is the status of its members; even its top leaders (prophets, apostles, seventy, etc) are considered “volunteers” as far as the church is concerned (even though many of them are receiving money from church-related organizations). Therefore, in the event that someone does sexually abuse another within the church, they will simply be excommunicated, and because they were not actually an “employee” of the church to begin with, the church will play it off like the person never had anything to do with them." excerpted from post by "The Truth Hurts", Dec. 8


Isn't this what happened with the Mohlers? They were stripped of their Lay Minister titles by the Community of Christ church, an offshoot of the LDS/Mormon church. Burrell Jr. was also excommunicated from the LDS church due to factors not related to sexual abuse, IIRC. I'm assuming that if they have abused any other church members, the church would not be liable as they are volunteers. Is this correct?



http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-agora/index.php?site=exmobb&bn=exmobb_recovery

This is the link for posts on the Exmormon site related to "sex abuse". I can't figure out how to search further back than this month, though. (Can someone else figure this
out?). There are an awful lot of stories and it's remarkable how many of them are similar. I keep wondering if any of these forums for people who have left the church will discuss the Mohler case. If so, I haven't found them.

 

[Texas Mist]

http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-agora/index.php?site=exmobb&bn=exmobb_recovery


"......Also, another very smart strategy that the church uses is the status of its members; even its top leaders (prophets, apostles, seventy, etc) are considered “volunteers” as far as the church is concerned (even though many of them are receiving money from church-related organizations). Therefore, in the event that someone does sexually abuse another within the church, they will simply be excommunicated, and because they were not actually an “employee” of the church to begin with, the church will play it off like the person never had anything to do with them." excerpted from post by "The Truth Hurts", Dec. 8


Isn't this what happened with the Mohlers? They were stripped of their Lay Minister titles by the Community of Christ church, an offshoot of the LDS/Mormon church. Burrell Jr. was also excommunicated from the LDS church due to factors not related to sexual abuse, IIRC. I'm assuming that if they have abused any other church members, the church would not be liable as they are volunteers. Is this correct?



http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-agora/index.php?site=exmobb&bn=exmobb_recovery

This is the link for posts on the Exmormon site related to "sex abuse". I can't figure out how to search further back than this month, though. (Can someone else figure this
out?). There are an awful lot of stories and it's remarkable how many of them are similar. I keep wondering if any of these forums for people who have left the church will discuss the Mohler case. If so, I haven't found them.

MissIzzy -- try searching 'sex abuse' from this link

http://www.exmormon.org/searchexmormonorg.htm


I'm still reading up on the 'volunteer' status.

 

[mysteriew]

While things are quiet in this case, I've been doing some reading. I've found a number of ex-Mormon sites. Most include what are called "exit stories". It is absolutely heart-breaking how many members have left due to sexual abuse by church-going relatives or at the hands of church elders.

I guess it shouldn't surprise me, but almost without exception, these people miss the church and blame themselves to a large degree. They honestly believe that they somehow should have fought harder to protect their "purity". This particular story really touched me. There's a link at the bottom of the page to email the author. I don't know why, but it seems that we've seen her name before.

http://www.exmormon.org/whylft61.htm

That's pretty common in many survivor stories. Whether it is LSDS, Catholic, incest or even predator (adult or child victims.) Sometimes even assault victims will blame themselves to some extent. It comes out like "if I had said something earlier" or "said something different" or "hadn't been there in that particular area" or whatever. Even I sometimes wonder why I didn't say no the first time with my GF. Since he stopped when I said no, then possibly I could have stopped it the first time he tried it.

And as far as Mormons missing the church, the church is/was more a part of their lives than in many other religions. Often it is their church, their community and their education. So if their church is missing, they have a huge hole in their lives.

 

[mysteriew]

http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-agora/index.php?site=exmobb&bn=exmobb_recovery


"......Also, another very smart strategy that the church uses is the status of its members; even its top leaders (prophets, apostles, seventy, etc) are considered “volunteers” as far as the church is concerned (even though many of them are receiving money from church-related organizations). Therefore, in the event that someone does sexually abuse another within the church, they will simply be excommunicated, and because they were not actually an “employee” of the church to begin with, the church will play it off like the person never had anything to do with them." excerpted from post by "The Truth Hurts", Dec. 8


Isn't this what happened with the Mohlers? They were stripped of their Lay Minister titles by the Community of Christ church, an offshoot of the LDS/Mormon church. Burrell Jr. was also excommunicated from the LDS church due to factors not related to sexual abuse, IIRC. I'm assuming that if they have abused any other church members, the church would not be liable as they are volunteers. Is this correct?



http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-agora/index.php?site=exmobb&bn=exmobb_recovery

This is the link for posts on the Exmormon site related to "sex abuse". I can't figure out how to search further back than this month, though. (Can someone else figure this
out?). There are an awful lot of stories and it's remarkable how many of them are similar. I keep wondering if any of these forums for people who have left the church will discuss the Mohler case. If so, I haven't found them.

That will happen sometimes. But sometimes it is the victim that is excommunicated. Or told that they should pray about trying to destroy the good name of the leaders. Or sometimes told that the religion requires them to submit to the leader, because the leader is told God's will and what the leader does to them is God's will.

 

[Missizzy]

I'll never forget the passage in the book about Jeffrey Lundren, "Prophet of Death". It's 1989 and he's coerced his followers to kill an entire family of 5 for their unfaithfulness. One by one, the victims are lured into a barn after a "family" dinner. Jeffrey described their deaths as a blood atonement. The Averys were duct-taped and bound and shot multiple times at close range. They were dropped one by one into a watery grave he forced the men to dig. He made sure the parents saw the murder coming. He spared the three little girls that horror but did shoot them in their breasts and genitals.

Oh, my Lord, the man was sick. The group then took off for WV to hide out for a while. Jeff would take an ATV and ride up into the hills to get commandments from God each day--often telling him which woman he was to have for his next wife. He was known for his kinky and sick sexual proclivities...playing with feces, humiliating the women, cross-dressing, hard core , brutal rapes, bondage. The entire group went along blindly.

They then moved to Missouri, only a few miles from the Bates City farmhouse, for part of the winter of 1989. There's a passage where Jeff decides to take his children and a new "wife", Kathryn, whom he has stolen away from one of his followers, to California as he finds Missouri too cold. He packs up the truck and drives off. His followers just stand there in the farmhouse yard. They've followed this man everywhere, offered up their wives, given him free reign over their children, and committed murder for him. They are lost, completely lost. They just don't know what to do without a monster leading them. Do human beings simply switch off their brains and free will?

The book really shook me. I had no idea as to depth of the depravity. Thank God, Jeff was executed in Ohio in 2006. Many of his followers are doing multiple life sentences. His last wife went on to have a child by him and she's living back near Bates City.

Remember that Jeff was a highly committed member of the RLDS. And this was in the late 80s. And he spent a lot of time around Independence.

Coincidence?

 

[not_my_kids]

Regarding the Randy Leach possibility, does anyone know if LE or if Randy's parents have been contacted?
(I only ask about his parents, since his father is pretty much the self appointed non LE lead investigator in the case?)
I don't know if they are online yet to closely follow this case, although I am sure they know if it.
Sorry, I don't have time to catch up on the whole thread.

 

[Missizzy]

I think I can answer that question not_my_kids. I've been in touch with an author who is writing a book about Randy's disappearance. She called the tipline and spoke to LE about the Mohlers. She's a member here on WS but hasn't posted on this thread, I don't think. She does read it daily, though. We've given her lots to research.

You are correct that the Leaches don't have internet access. They've been made aware of what has been said on this thread, however, and I believe have read many of the posts. They have not given up hope on finding out what happened to their son.

I find it curious that LE seems to have dropped or slowed down the investigation into possible murders and into the report of a young woman living in the crawlspace. I'm wondering if they've discovered that the murders might have been "staged" to frighten the alleged victims. FWIW, I do believe that local LE is well aware of all we've discussed here.

 

[lemonmoussetart]

That will happen sometimes. But sometimes it is the victim that is excommunicated. Or told that they should pray about trying to destroy the good name of the leaders. Or sometimes told that the religion requires them to submit to the leader, because the leader is told God's will and what the leader does to them is God's will.

what a total crock! win/win situation for them

 

[Texas Mist]

I wish I could be at the hearing tomorrow.

I've been practicing a good glaring stare.

 

[Missizzy]

Remind me...which Mohler has a hearing tomorrow? I thought for a second that you were referring to the hearing up here in Oregon. If you're available, I'd love to have you go. We could sure use a good steady glare or two. I'm going to have my husband attend and report back as to who attends. Let me know what you know about updates on the Mohler case. It's sure quiet out there in Jackson County Missouri.

 

[IWannaKnow]

Interesting article:
http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Port...unty-cherrypicking-accusations-in-Mohler-case

Is Lafayette County cherry-picking accusations in Mohler case?

 

[ohiogirl]

Hopefully, they are not publishing all evidence they have. We will have to wait and see.

 

[Texas Mist]

Interesting article:
http://www.examiner.com/x-8922-Port...unty-cherrypicking-accusations-in-Mohler-case

Is Lafayette County cherry-picking accusations in Mohler case?

I read that story the other day -- and I immediately thought about how ignorant the author sounded....he writes as tho he has absolutely no comprehension of childhood sexual abuse.

A thinly veiled attempt to blame the victims for stirring this up because they are not believable.

 

[Texas Mist]

Remind me...which Mohler has a hearing tomorrow? I thought for a second that you were referring to the hearing up here in Oregon. If you're available, I'd love to have you go. We could sure use a good steady glare or two. I'm going to have my husband attend and report back as to who attends. Let me know what you know about updates on the Mohler case. It's sure quiet out there in Jackson County Missouri.

It's Jr. from what I read on the 15th.

Believe me MissIzzy -- if I were close enough I would be in court for you. ((hugs))

 

[Missizzy]

You know I have to admit that I saw the same article and also didn't link to it. I probably should have as we need to look at all that is published. But, I have to agree with Texas Mist that it seems as if the author is trying to give the impression that the case is falling apart. The comment from the prosecutor was well reported in other articles so that's not really news. This author seems to want the readers to wonder if anything at all went on. There's a reason this site is called the Portland Skepticism Examiner.

The comments under the article are interesting. I happen to agree with the poster who says that "All prosecutors "cherry-pick accusations". This is true in any case. DA's just don't have the time or money to fool around with cloudy issues. They are going to go with the charges which have the highest possibility of conviction. It's pretty obvious that the murder and/or kidnapping charges will not stick if a body or more evidence isn't found. That doesn't mean it didn't happen. However, this journalist is completely minimizing the sexual abuse of these alleged victims.

Also note the comment about the Mohler son denying the accusations. What do we know from documents and reliable sources about whether or not this young man disclosed about his rape? I'm still a little confused about his present position in this investigation.

 

[Texas Mist]

You know I have to admit that I saw the same article and also didn't link to it. I probably should have as we need to look at all that is published. But, I have to agree with Texas Mist that it seems as if the author is trying to give the impression that the case is falling apart. The comment from the prosecutor was well reported in other articles so that's not really news. This author seems to want the readers to wonder if anything at all went on. There's a reason this site is called the Portland Skepticism Examiner.

The comments under the article are interesting. I happen to agree with the poster who says that "All prosecutors "cherry-pick accusations". This is true in any case. DA's just don't have the time or money to fool around with cloudy issues. They are going to go with the charges which have the highest possibility of conviction. It's pretty obvious that the murder and/or kidnapping charges will not stick if a body or more evidence is found. That doesn't mean it didn't happen. However, this journalist is completely minimizing the sexual abuse of these alleged victims.

Also note the comment about the Mohler son denying the accusations. What do we know from documents and reliable sources about whether or not this young man disclosed about his rape? I'm still a little confused about his present position in this investigation.

I think they are referring to Mr. Young's son -- that's the only one I've read of who denies the allegations....I've only seen info like this:

The man on Friday told The Kansas City Star that his son, now 17, denied any abuse occurred, but said authorities told him again last week that his son was a possible victim. The man does not speak to his ex-wife, who could not be reached for this story.

He expressed anger at those who defend the accused Mohlers: “Now is the time to speak up. Those who have feared the Mohlers don’t have to now.”

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/crime/v-print/story/79363.html


No news yet on Jr.'s court appearance....still looking for updates on that.


ETA: finally found something-- just a video w/o much info

http://www.kctv5.com/video/22036208/index.html

 

[Texas Mist]

<snip>

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Mo. - Two men accused of sexually assaulting their family members were back in court Tuesday morning. Darrell Mohler and Burrell Mohler, Jr went before a judge as the court listened to different concerns.

Burrell Mohler, Jr was assigned a public defender after not deciding who would defend him. The judge said there was a risk that this ruling could be overturned, but because of the severity of the charges he was assigned a public defender.

Darrell Mohler, 72, was granted his lawyer's request that he only provide 10 percent of his $40,000 bond instead of cash only because of medical problems. His lawyer said Mohler cannot use his cane in jail and also has diabetes and needs oxygen.


http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-mohler-men-appear-in-court-122209,0,1299221.story


Burrell Mohler, Jr was assigned a public defender after not deciding who would defend him. <<<<============= does that mean that he got a public defender for the time being as a temporary, and when they figure it out, he will be assigned to a diff. public defender? I think that's what it means -- it's just worded so oddly....the audio in the video is so low I can't hear it.

And Darrel gets out for $4K????


ETA:

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Mo. - Two of the six Mohler men accused of sex crimes against children in their family were back in Lafayette County court on Tuesday. One wanted a lower bond and the other wanted a court appointed public defender. Each man got what he wanted from the judge.
....
Mohler, Jr told the judge he needs a court appointed attorney even though the public defender's office said he doesn't qualify. We learned he's only been married to his current wife for six months, but when you include her income, the couple makes 2,400 a month over the amount to qualify for a public defender.

Nonetheless the judge granted the motion saying he didn't think it was fair to include the new wife's assets..

As for Darrell Mohler, he told the judge he's not allowed a cane in jail for security reasons or an oxygen machine despite numerous health problems. He asked the judge to turn his $40,000 cash-only bond into a surety bond, so he'd only have to post 10 percent.
.....
The Lafayette County Sheriff said Darrell Mohler isn't allowed oxygen in jail because an oxygen test showed he doesn't need it. All of the Mohler suspects are due back in court in January.

some more here

http://www.fox4kc.com/wdaf-mohler-men-appear-in-court-122209,0,1299221.story

 

[luvbeaches]

One of our news channels was covering this today, and the reporter said something along the line of ... "Darrell Mohler wasn't so sick or ill that he couldn't flip us off." I hope they keep this pervert where he belongs.