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	Closing Arguments in Evans Case Begin This Afternoon By JP Eichmiller The Coloradoan [Fort Collins CO] March 23, 2007 http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070323/UPDATES01/70323010 The defense rested its case this morning in the trial of Timothy Evans, the former Fort Collins priest accused of sexual misconduct against minors. Evans declined to take the stand in his own defense. Before resting its case, defense attorney Joseph Gavaldon continued attempts to discredit the alleged victims who have claimed Evans improperly touched them. Gavaldon has called a series of current and former employees of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton — the church where Evans formerly worked as head priest — who have questioned the character and honesty of two of the witnesses against Evans. Combative and often argumentative, the Rev. Lawrence Christiansen, the current administrator at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and self-described, "best friend" of Evans appeared this morning on the behalf of the defense. Upon cross-examination by Deputy District Attorney Leah Bishop, Christiansen admitted to spending every off day with Evans. The witness also testified that he and Evans cook and shop for each other and take frequent vacations together. Christiansen admitted to being uncooperative with investigators, declining up until today to answer questions related to Evans from police or the District Attorney's office. He even went so far as to refuse to wait in the court's witness room because he refused to sit near anyone who would testify against Evans. "I said that I wasn't going to answer any questions," said Christiansen about the time Fort Collins Police Department officers showed up at the church in November 2005 to question him and his staff about Evans. "I asked if they had search warrants and when they didn't I said, 'I will have to ask you to leave.'" When asked by Bishop about one of Evan's alleged victims, a former youth minister at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton for whom Evans is godfather to his oldest child, Christiansen said the alleged victim annoyed, bothered and upset him because he was spending so much time with Evans. Two male witnesses have now testified about Evans allegedly touching their genitals and two others of allegedly being caressed inappropriately while minors by the former priest. Evans, who worked as head priest at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church between 1998 and 2002, is facing multiple felony charges in Larimer County District Court for alleged sexual misconduct against minors and contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Evans is also scheduled to face similar charges April 2 in Jefferson County. Following the conclusion of witness testimonies, Evan's defense team requested that District Judge Jolene Blairissuea motion of acquittal on the two charges of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust. The defense argued to Blair that while Evans and the alleged victim, who was a minor at the time, were drinking beer and smoking cigarettes together at the church rectory, Evans was acting as a friend and not a person in a position of trust. Blair denied the request and will allow the charges to be considered by the jury. Closing arguments will commence at 1:30 this afternoon, after which the jury will go into deliberation. Contact: JPEichmiller@coloradoan.com
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