Former Priest Found Guilty of Sex Assault
By Sara Reed
The Coloradoan [Fort Collins CO]
March 27, 2007
http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/NEWS01/703270335/1002
Parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton were saddened and hurt Monday after a former priest with the Catholic Church was convicted of sexually assaulting a teenage boy 10 years ago, but they also believe justice was served.
After less than three hours of deliberations Monday morning, the five-man, seven-woman jury found Timothy Evans guilty of three counts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, including one charge of pattern of abuse.
"I am hurt but agree with the jury," said Lisa Stadele, 53, a longtime volunteer at the parish. "I won't judge all clergy because of the actions of a few. These actions by Father Tim or any other pastor of any other denomination is not indicative of clergy but an individual problem that a priest or pastor has."
 |
| Tim Evans, right, waits for a Larimer County Sheriff's deputy as he is remanded into custody Monday Photo by V. Richard Haro/The Coloradoan |
Stadele and Ray Sons, a parishioner at the church for the past 15 years, initially didn't want to believe that the former priest could commit such an act. But both said they now believe Evans committed the crimes.
"No, I never got this feeling that he would do what he did," Stadele said. "But after it came out, yeah, I did, because I know the people involved. I believed them when I saw the changes in their lives. I'm so sorry that it happened."
Said Sons, who added he liked Evans and especially enjoyed his sermons, or homilies: "My immediate reaction was that I didn't believe he could be guilty. I became distressed because the evidence at the trial seemed to indicate previous troubles at another church, and that created a probability that he was guilty. I still feel sad for him and for the church."
The jury determined that Evans inappropriately touched a 17-year-old boy on two separate occasions in 1997 and 1998. Evans served as pastor of the church from 1998 to 2002, the year he was removed from parish ministry. The Archdiocese of Denver later stripped him of his priesthood.
Evans was removed from the ministry, as part of church policy, when the allegations arose, said Jeanette DeMelo, communications director for the Archdiocese of Denver.
The archdiocese also reported the alleged abuse as soon as it came to light, also keeping with policy, she said.
Evans, dressed in a dark suit, sat emotionless as the verdict was read and District Court Judge Jolene Blair asked the jury to confirm the verdicts.
Following the hearing, Evans immediately was taken into custody by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office and will be jailed until his sentencing May 30.
State law mandates that Evans serve 10 years to life in prison on the pattern of abuse charge. After he has served 10 years, the parole board will determine when he is to be released.
Once he is released, Evans will have to register as a convicted sexual offender. As a registered sex offender, he will not, among other conditions, be able to have contact with minors or be anywhere where minors are likely to be.
It is possible that the sentences for all three counts will run concurrently.
Evans' attorney, Andy Gavaldón, declined comment immediately following the verdict and did not return calls made later in the afternoon.
Prosecutors were pleased with the verdict but declined further comment, citing a pending case in Jefferson County, according to spokeswoman Linda Jensen.
The Rev. Larry Christensen, who testified at trial that he and Evans have a very close relationship, could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
Now is the time for healing, DeMelo said, and there will be conversations within the archdiocese as to how it can help facilitate that process.
But Monday's guilty verdict did not end Evans' legal battles.
Evans is scheduled to stand trial in Jefferson County on similar charges alleging he inappropriately touched a teenage boy at Spirit of Christ Parish, 7400 W. 80th Ave., in Arvada between May 10, 1995, and May 10, 1997.
Pam Russell, a spokeswoman with the District Attorney's Office in Jefferson County, said the trial is scheduled to begin Monday morning. Evans faces one charge in that case.
Contact: SaraReed@coloradoan.com
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.