BishopAccountability.org
	Midsouth Minister Charged with Sexual Battery Goes before a Judge WREG August 30, 2007 http://www.wreg.com/Global/story.asp?S=7001098 Memphis, TN — A long time Midsouth pastor goes before a judge for the first time in connection with sexual battery charges. Wednesday, Steven Haney went before General Sessions Judge Ann Pugh for a preliminary hearing, also in court the now 21 year old victim to come forward in the case. The young man went before the Judge to testify about sexual abuse he says happened between he and his pastor, Steven Haney. He told the court, "He began telling me that I could become a model and at 15 we began doing measurements.. (Assistant District Attorney, Jen Morris says, What kind of measurements??) I would be naked on his couch in his church office and he would touch me in my private area." During the lengthy testimony he told the court the alleged abuse started when he was just 15 years old, saying Haney would ask him to come to his church office, take off his clothes and perform oral sex. He went on to tell the Judge, Haney told him the acts would bring him closer to God. Alleged Victim says, "He told me why did you get so scared, so nervous...and he said if your going to be willing to be a man of God....it started with a kiss and that progressed over time." Leslie Balin represents Steven Haney, Balin says, "You even answered a question until you were 20, had you become a victim of sexual abuse—what would you have said? (Alleged Victim: I would have said no...) He went on to tell the Judge he would have said no because he claims he had been manipulated by Haney. The Judge found probable cause and bound the case over to a Grand Jury ordering Haney to have no contact with the alleged victim. He remains out on bond.
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