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	Charges Dropped in Church Sex Case By Rick Peck Morning News November 8, 2007 http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/11/07/news/110807mochurch.txt ANDERSON, Mo.-- Two women who accused the leaders of a McDonald County, Mo., church of sexual abuse have apparently refused to cooperate with authorities, leading to charges being dropped against church leaders. The child molestation and statutory rape charges were originally filed in August 2006 by then-McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Geeding. Those charged were Raymond Lambert, Patty Lambert, Tom Epling and Paul Epling. Lambert was pastor of the Grand Valley Independent Baptist Church. Patty Lambert is his wife. The Epling brothers are deacons in the church. In October 2006, Laura Epling was the fifth member of the church to be charged with a sex crime. As the case made its way through the courts, charges against Tom and Paul Epling were dropped for various reasons. Raymond and Patty Lambert were scheduled to go to trial Nov. 13, while Laura Epling's trial was set for Nov. 16. Raymond Lambert faced four counts of second-degree statutory sodomy and three counts of second-degree child molestation while Patty Lambert faced one count of second-degree child molestation. Laura Epling's charge of second-degree statutory sodomy was also dismissed, Robert Evenson, attorney for the former defendants, said Tuesday a motion for dismissal he filed led to the charges being dropped. In his motion, Evenson stated the defense and the state agreed to a time for depositions to be taken, but the accusers failed to appear. Evenson also stated one of the women previously appeared for a deposition, but refused to answer certain questions she was later ordered to answer by the court. After the witnesses failed to appear, depositions were reset for Nov. 5., and according to Evenson's motion, the women again refused to appear. Evenson said his clients have lost a lot during the ordeal. "Their reputations are ruined," said Evenson. "Their school is gone and it was a good school. Most of the students became teachers." A call to McDonald County Prosecuting Attorney Janice Durbin was not returned.
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