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	Church, Family Members Defend Stanley Minister Charged with Rape By Vickie Welborn Shreveport Times October 3, 2007 http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/BREAKINGNEWS/71003029 MANSFIELD – A Stanley minister's aggravated rape trial is expected to end tomorrow with a verdict. Testimony continued this afternoon with more church and family members rising to Burcham Paul Warren's defense. Warren, 51, has pleaded not to guilty to sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. And those who say they've known him for a decade or more agree he is not the kind of man who would harm a child. If convicted, Warren faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison. Several witnesses who testified Wednesday afternoon are or were Sunday school teachers at South Oak Grove Assembly of God Church in Stanley, the church Warren pastored until his resignation after his arrest a year ago. "Well, I didn't believe it. … It was a surprise, a shock. … I just don't believe it," said Nancy Burns, of the Logan community in Texas. "Brother Warren is just not that kind of man." Added Joaquin, Texas, resident Janice Laffitte: "Believe me, if I had any doubt in my mind I would not be sitting here defending him." Burns and Laffitte were asked if they were surprised to learn that pornography photographs were found on Paul Warren's church-purchased laptop computer. Burns said yes, but not Laffitte. "That stuff pops up anyway," Laffitte said. Steve Warren, Paul Warren's brother and a Texas state police officer, said he had never heard any derogatory statements concerning his brother and led jurors on a detailed journey of how he's handled child sexual abuse cases over the years. Matt Warren, Paul Warren's oldest son who is a Leesville police officer, quickly answered "no" when asked by Assistant District Attorney Anna Garcie if he thought his father was guilty. Matt Warren said he never knew his father to lie or heard anyone say his father had lied. "As it went on, I didn't see any evidence, physical exam, DNA evidence … nothing that would say this happened." Despite the allegations, Matt Warren said he remains close to his brother, Dusty Warren, who is the girl's father, and his father. "I realize my brother is in a bad situation." The alleged victim also was painted in a different light by the same Sunday school teachers who defended Paul Warren. Jurors giggled and tried to hold back laughter as Burns talked almost endlessly about situations in her classroom involving the young girl. Burns talked matter-of-factly about her strict regimen in the Sunday school class and her demand for respect from the children. She characterized the girl as disruptive and vengeful with the other children. She went into great detail on incidents involving the girl and other children, especially involving a friend of the alleged victim's. "It was every Sunday I had to threaten her. …She was a challenge, let me tell you," Burns said. She offered that the girl's behavior was so bad that she was to the point of resigning her teaching position. Two Sundays later, the girl was promoted to another class. "She had to be the center of attention," Burns said. "She didn't want to go with the flow, so to say." Burns admitted, though, that the girl appeared quieter after Warren's resignation. Laffitte said she noticed the girl's behavior change for the worse in March 2006. Laffitte said the girl became rude, disrespectful and acted out in class. The girl started crying and having temper tantrums. "She always liked to be the center of attention. … But if she didn't get to do what she wanted to do she would lie on others … so that she could get her way," Laffitte said. The girl's behavior had gotten to the point Laffitte said she also wanted to give up her class. Laffitte said she talked to "Pastor and his wife" about the girl, but not the girl's parents. Also called to the stand today were Michelle Harville, who recalled a conversation she had with Dusty Warren about a change in the girl's story. Bertha Johnson, Paul Warren's mother, said Dusty Warren told her he believed his father did not have "anything to do with this but I've got to support my daughter." He later said, ""If he did dot this he is a sick man and he needs help." Contact: vwelborn@gannett.com
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