MO - Six Mohler family members for child sex crimes, Bates City 2009 #4

[Wintergreen]

http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/n...-for-Mohler-evidence-919005.php#ixzz192ddjPDy

http://www.examiner.net/news/x16514...sks-for-extra-time-to-process-Mohler-evidence

I cannot imagine what it's like for them to have to sift through all that....

 

[Missizzy]

Thank you for the update, Wintergreen. It does sound like a massive undertaking. It's also very disturbing to consider what might be in those journals and videos. From the second of your links:

"....Investigators collected more than 1,000 items. They found multiple journals, written records, letters and cases of VHS tapes. Some were religious videos, others pornographic. They found writings about incest and sex toys and other items, according to the statement by the Sheriff’s Office.

Some of the journals must be copied page by page. Each video had to be examined to determine the content to figure out if the recordings had been disguised under a fictitious labeling, according to the release...."

and in the first link, there was this:

"The trial for Burrell Mohler Sr. had been scheduled to begin in February, but has been pushed back to October."


I know that many people have defended the Mohler men and have called this a case of hysterical recollection or the work of a rageful former wife. I think the writing is on the wall (and possibly in the journals), though. Something horrid occurred in that family. Even if the men plea down to get a lesser sentence, I am so tremendously hopeful that the entire story comes out. The public really needs a wake up call as to how evil can lurk within seemingly upstanding families.

My heart is with those victims and their mother. They are true heroes. I am hopeful that the family can enjoy their holidays free from harm and worry.

 

[Missizzy]

Hmmm. Something just dawned on me. Those articles both ran on Christmas Eve. Very few folks read the newspaper on Christmas Eve as most are busy and the paper is primarily full of "holiday fluff" stories.

I wonder if that was an editorial call.

 

[Missizzy]

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/01/19/mohler-trial-date-moved-back/

Mohler molestation trial delayed

"Another trial date has been changed for one of six family members accused of molesting young relatives about 20 years ago in western Missouri.

Jared Mohler was scheduled to stand trial March 28 in Lafayette County on one count of using a child in a sexual performance. On Tuesday, that date was canceled, and another trial date is scheduled to be selected March 21....."

and

....Court dates for other members of the family have also been changed. As of Wednesday, the earliest trial date was May 9 for 73-year-old Darrel Mohler...."

more at link

 

[Wintergreen]

Missizzy, you're always on top of things! Here's another story about trial date changes:

http://blogs.pitch.com/plog/2011/01/jared_mohlers_trial_in_incest.php

 

[Missizzy]

Thank you Wintergreen, but this case has really interested me from the beginning. In your link, I noticed that the word "horses" (plural) was used for the first time I can recall. I also thought it was very unfortunate that they called Darrel Mohler, a "Wilford Brimley doppelganger".

IMO, Mr. Brimley did nothing to deserve that comparison.

 

[Salem]

IIRC, one of the children brought up the horse early on.

Salem

 

[Missizzy]

Yes, I remember the horse (I wish I didn't). It's written about in the Probable Cause and Search Warrant documents. However, I've never read "horses"--as in plural. I wonder if the investigation has turned up more crimes. There's also a story related by the girls about a dog, a German Shepherd.

 

[Missizzy]

Two more delays. But my goodness, look at the enormous amount of evidence and documentation. This is a massive case:

http://www.kmbc.com/r/27587051/detail.html

Jared Mohler Trial Delayed Until 2012

"Another trial date has been set for one of six family members accused of molesting young relatives about 20 years ago in western Missouri. Jared Mohler was scheduled to stand trial Monday in Lafayette County. He has pleaded not guilty to several felony counts of abuse, including rape, sodomy and use of a child in a sexual performance...."

and

"...The judge set a new trial date of Feb. 25. 2012...."

and

"...Court dates for other members of the family have also been changed."

more at link



And:

http://www.examiner.net/news/x1798432438/Continuance-sought-in-Burrell-Mohler-Jr-trial

Continuance sought in Burrell Mohler Jr. trial

"The state of Missouri is asking for a continuance in a trial against Burrell Mohler Jr...."

and

"...Last year, Lafayette County requested that Jackson County hand over all evidence and information from its own investigation. Mohler owned several properties in Independence and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office conducted several searches on these properties, removing more than 1,000 items of evidence.

During a hearing March 25, it was determined that only physical evidence was released, not reports. The court then ordered that all records must be submitted to the Lafayette County Prosecuting Attorney by April 27. On April 13, Jackson County sent 4,420 pages of documents as well as 17 CDs to Lafayette County....."

more at link

 

[Missizzy]

I just checked the custody status of the men. Burrell Sr. and his son, Roland, are still in Clay County Jail. Son, Burrell Jr., is in Lafayette County Jail. Sons, David and Jared are free on cash bail. Uncle Darrel is also free on bail and has returned to Florida, I believe.

This information is via Vinelink.

 

[Missizzy]

I'm actually very surprised that the State was not granted a continuance, given that they just received thousands of documents which have to be processed. I'm unclear, though, does this mean that Burrell Jr.'s trial starts next week? Or is May 2nd, just a hearing? I can't find a formal trial date.


http://www.examiner.net/news/x1061069836/Layfayette-court-won-t-delay-Mohler-trial

Layfayette court won’t delay Mohler trial

"A request by the state of Missouri to delay an upcoming trial for an Independence man charged with rape and other charges has been denied.

The request for a continuance in the trial against Burrell Mohler Jr. was denied in Lafayette County Court on Wednesday. Lafayette County requested that Jackson County hand over all evidence and information from its own investigation...."

and

"...The next court date is May 2."

More at link

 

[Wintergreen]

This AP story just came up about Burrell Mohler Sr with some information on court dates:

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/543a6d1ca4aa4d899960fc6ffcb57a7c/MO--Family-Sex-Crimes/

Here is text:
LEXINGTON, Mo. — Eighteen months after shocking claims of incest and rape at a western Missouri farm were made public, three of six men accused of molesting young relatives remain behind bars and the first trial is at least five months away.

Incarceration is taking its toll on the eldest defendant, family patriarch Burrell Mohler Sr., according to motions filed by his attorney in Clay County Circuit Court. The 78-year-old is scheduled to stand trial in October on 21 felony counts, including rape, sodomy and use of a child in a sexual performance.

The charges stem from incidents alleged to have spanned more than a decade, beginning in the early 1980s, at a farm near Bates City about 30 miles east of Kansas City.

"He's now 78 years old and was diabetic prior to incarceration," said his attorney, Kimberly Benjamin, who has asked the court to allow her client to see heart and colon specialists next month. "Prior to that he had a heart attack and other issues. It's of great concern."

Two of his sons, Burrell Mohler Jr., 55, and Roland Mohler, 48, also are still in jail after being arrested in November 2009. Two other sons, Jared, 50, and David Mohler, 53, have posted bond and were released pending trial, as has Burrell Sr.'s brother, Darrel Mohler, who turns 74 on Sunday.

Indictments and other court documents graphically describe bizarre claims against the six men, all of whom have pleaded not guilty.

Among the accusations are that Burrell Mohler Sr., an ordained minister, performed marriage ceremonies between his sons and the young relatives prior to some of the sex acts. Documents also include accusations that at least two girls were impregnated, including one who was forced to have an abortion when she was 11, and that two girls were forced to perform sex acts with animals while some of the defendants watched.

Court dates for all of the Mohlers have been repeatedly set and then changed as prosecutors in Lafayette County waited for the Jackson County Sheriff's Office to turn over thousands of pages of evidence and other materials retrieved from the Independence homes of Burrell Mohler junior and senior.

Burrell Mohler Jr.'s trial, which had been scheduled to begin next week, was the latest to be postponed. His trial date and the county where he will be tried have not been decided after his attorney requested a change of judge and venue out of Lafayette County.

"The length of time has been due to discovery issues," said Burrell Jr.'s attorney, Janeal Matheson, who declined to discuss specifics of the case.

Burrell Mohler Sr. is scheduled to go to trial first, starting Oct. 11. David Mohler, of Lamoni, Iowa, is scheduled for Nov. 7, followed by Darrel Mohler, of Silver Springs, Fla., on Dec. 5. The trial for Roland Mohler, of Bates City, is set for Jan. 9, and the one for Jared Mohler, of Columbia, is Jan. 25.

The first four trials are scheduled for Clay County, in the Kansas City suburb of Liberty, on changes of venue. Jared Mohler's trial is the only one still scheduled in Lafayette County.

Experts say the outcome of Burrell Mohler Sr.'s trial, if it is prosecuted first, likely would have a big impact on the other cases.

"If the person facing the most charges, who the state has the strongest case against, goes first and if he's convicted, that could cause the other defendants to be more interested in plea bargaining," said Rodney Uphoff, a University of Missouri professor who helped defend Terry Nichols in state court in Oklahoma after the Oklahoma City bombing. "Alternatively, if I'm a defense lawyer for one of the others, going second, third or fourth may be very desirable, from my standpoint."

Lafayette County prosecutor Kellie Wingate Ritchie, who last month received more than 4,400 pages of documents and 17 CDs containing photos, documents and audio recordings from Jackson County, said it's not uncommon for complex cases to take a while to work their way through the legal system.

"In any criminal case where you have multiple defendants, several investigative agencies, thousands of documents and hours of recordings to review, you can expect an extended period of trial preparation, an essential component of the judicial process," she said. "Patience, as usual, is a virtue."

 

[Wintergreen]

FYI you will find info from above story (and more) on Missouri Casenet at this link:

https://www.courts.mo.gov/casenet

It took me awhile (actually a long time) but I figured out that this site has lots of info if you search under the most recent case number. I wish someone had taught me how to navigate all this--quite confusing since the defendants all have more than one number assigned! Here are most recent case numbers (all 0’s are numbers):

Burrell Sr: 10CY-CR00585
Burrell Jr: 11LF-CR00349 & 11LF-CR00349-01 (docket entries before April 2011 gone for some reason)
David: 10CY-CR01142
Jared: 09LF-CR01064-01
Roland: 10CY-CR00900
Darrel: 10CY-CR00283

You can also search under “Litigant Name” but still have to locate the most recent case number or you will find only old information. Next click on “Docket Entries” header and you will find "Show Docket Entries” and this will allow you to choose a date range or select "All" then hit “Find.”

From recent docket entries there has been a great deal of activity in the last few weeks—numerous changes in bond agreements as well as numerous subpoenas issued by David Mohler’s attorney. BTW Casenet doesn’t seem to update “Scheduled Hearings & Trials” very often but, for some reason, dates are updated under “Docket Entries.” For those of you who are interested I hope this saves you some time!

 

[Missizzy]

Thank you, Wintergreen. That's really helpful but also tremendously sad. So many things we worried about here on this thread, seem to be validated. How I hope this group of brave young adults are getting the support they deserve. I think about them often.

In checking on the Mohlers, I found another, similar article today:

http://www.kctv5.com/news/27983361/detail.html

Attorney: Jail Time Taking Toll On Eldest Mohler


I wonder where all the commenters are now? The ones who blamed this entire case on a vindictive former wife and who raved about how upstanding each of these men were? Where are they? Do they have the decency to admit that just possibly, they might have been wrong. Pedophiles don't just groom the victims. They groom the entire community.

 

[Missizzy]

Oh my....just reading that carefully makes me cry. At least two girls were impregnated and one was forced to have an abortion? I still wonder how that was carried out. Someone could have so easily brought about that little girl's death. If the abortion was done by a doctor, I would think that he/she will also face charges. And what about the other girl? Was a child impregnated and forced to carry a child? What happened to that child? We never learned what was in the box that was excavated from the basement of the house. And to perform a marriage ceremony? Lord, that's just horrid. And the animals......

I have so many questions--the girl in the crawlspace, the spinning of the rings, the maps, the videos, the murder of the large man in April 1988, the possible drugs. Oh, I hope the entire story finally comes out. I want the general public to know just how much evil can hide in plain sight. As much pain as I know this must bring the victims, it must feel very freeing to finally speak out.

If any of the original supporters of the Mohler men happen upon our thread, I hope they have the courage to post. Everyone makes mistakes and misjudges. But we'd love to hear from you. This must be a tough time for you too. These men have spent their entire lives trying to destroy others' lives. They almost succeeded.

 

[Wintergreen]

I wonder where all the commenters are now? The ones who blamed this entire case on a vindictive former wife and who raved about how upstanding each of these men were? Where are they? Do they have the decency to admit that just possibly, they might have been wrong. Pedophiles don't just groom the victims. They groom the entire community.

Well spoken, Missizzy

 

[Wintergreen]

If any of the original supporters of the Mohler men happen upon our thread, I hope they have the courage to post. Everyone makes mistakes and misjudges. But we'd love to hear from you. This must be a tough time for you too. These men have spent their entire lives trying to destroy others' lives. They almost succeeded.

You are so right to invite people to post here. Websleuths hosts the most civil and open discussions I've ever seen on the web. To anyone who questions, you really are safe speaking your mind here.

 

[Missizzy]

Has anyone local to the area seen any mention as to what sort of media coverage will be allowed for the trials?

 

[Missizzy]

Wow!! There's a lot of information on Casenet. I'm just getting started but it sure looks like an awful lot of supplemental discovery has been entered into evidence. I was surprised to see that Burrell Mohler, Sr. was offered a surety bond a few weeks ago. I thought MO only had full cash bonds:

"....Bond set at $375,000.00, which may be posted by corporate surety, and provided that another individual co-sign as a co-surety on the principal amount of the bond, together with the defendant. The individual must be a resident of Missouri, or appoint a registered agent within the State of Missouri to accept service of process. In the event defendant satisfied the conditions of bond, he is ordered to not leave the geographic boundaries of the State of Missouri, is to reside at the residence of his spouse as listed, and is not to have any contact, direct or indirect with any State witness, except through counsel. Defendant may also satisfy the conditions of bond by depositing $50,000.00 cash to the Court, provided all previously listed conditions for release are met and followed, including an individual co-surety who is a Missouri resident and co-sign with the defendant for the full amount of the $375,000.00 bond. In the event defendant is released pursuant to bond requirements, defendant ordered to be electronic monitored at his residence, with defendant allowed to attend scheduled medical appointments, office conferences with counsel, court appearance, and regular church services. L. Harman, Judge..."

I'm kind of surprised that Sr.'s wife would accept him back into her home. She was the one who banished him to the basement and who found some of the evidence.

There's also a notation concerning compelling the victims to release mental health information related to "recovered memories". Hmmmm. I wonder which expert witness the defense is going to use for this? I have my suspicions about who might step forward.

 

[Missizzy]

As of this last week, Darrel Mohler is allowed to have contact with a grandson, as long as there is another adult present. I don't know how I feel about this.

Well, yes, I actually do. It worries me.