Former Pastor's Trial on Sex Charges Still Pending, News4Jax, January 12, 2007

Former Pastor's Trial on Sex Charges Still Pending

News4Jax
January 12, 2007

http://www.news4jax.com/news/10358264/detail.html

Jacksonville, Fla. -- A once prominent and long-serving pastor was back in court Friday for a pretrial hearing on charges he molested four children at his Westside church decades ago.

The Rev. Robert Gray is accused of molesting three girls and a boy more than 30 years ago while he was pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. Gray has pleaded not guilty to four counts of capital sexual battery.

His trial was originally scheduled to begin in November, but due to motions and a rotation of judges in the criminal division, no new trial date is scheduled. The next pretrial hearing is set for Feb. 7.

Robert Gray appeared in person at his arraignment on a fourth sexual battery charge, then was allowed to remain free on bond.

Gray was pastor of Trinity for nearly 40 years, and also headed its primary school and college. He retired from Trinity in 1992, but remained active in revivals and Bible conferences across America and in Europe until his arrest in May.

Gray was released on bond until his trial -- a fact that offends supporters of the alleged victims.

"I think it's completely ridiculous," Sandy, one of Gray's accusers, said after Gray's arraignment in August. "I think that the bond has been set -- the $25,000 bond -- you can get that for a DUI, and I think that's absolutely unfair -- a spit in the face to the victims."

Sandy is just one several people who say they were victims of Gray's sexual advances decades ago when they were children.

Although he's only been charged with molesting four children --- three girls and one boy -- others have come forward to tell investigators they were assaulted, including Denise Green.

"For me it's been healing to come out and be heard," Green said Tuesday. "Finally someone believes you and is listening."

Pat Cassell's husband was a staff member at the church for 25 years. He left in 1997 as the first rumors about the molestation were being made.

"It's time for the cover up to be over and for there to be compassion and help given to these kids who were horribly molested -- many of them through the years," Cassell said. "The Bible tells us, 'truth sets you free,' and this truth needs to be told. That needs to be uncovered not just for Bob Gray, but for the church as well."

"There's people that will never set foot in a church again," Sandy said. "There's people that's tried to commit suicide."

While Gray's supporters have been reluctant to grant interviews, many have contacted Channel 4 saying that Gray could not have done what he is accused of and is innocent until proven guilty.