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	First Hosanna Church Trial Set to Begin Associated Press, carried in Journal-Gazette November 26, 2007 http://www.journalgazette.net/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071126/APN/711260633&template=apart The trial of the first sexual abuse suspect in the 2005 Hosanna Church case is set to begin this week, two years after seven members of the now-defunct Ponchatoula church were accused of having sex with children as part of occult rituals. Austin "Trey" Bernard III, 39, of Hammond is accused of one count of aggravated rape of a 2-year-old girl in 2002. Under Louisiana law, an aggravated rape conviction carries an automatic life sentence in prison. Bernard is one of seven members indicted in 2005 on charges of having sex with children as part of occult rituals. The case includes allegations of the abuse and killings of animals, specifically dogs and cats. Bernard's trial, presided over by state District Judge Doug Hughes, begins Tuesday with jury selection, barring any last minute appeals or judicial rulings. The other suspects, Louis Lamonica, Robbin Lamonica, Al Pierson, Patricia Pierson, Paul Fontenot and Christopher Labat, are out of jail on bond and awaiting trial dates. The alleged abuse of three children two boys and one girl was at the center of the 2005 investigation, but Bernard faces charges only for allegedly abusing the girl. Assistant District Attorney Don Wall said he anticipates calling 10 to 15 witnesses at trial for two to three days of testimony. Defense attorney Al Bensabat has said he has three potential witnesses to call for Bernard's defense. Last week, the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal in Baton Rouge rejected defense appeals concerning the testimony of three possible state witnesses. Hughes ruled on Oct. 9 that two young men, now ages 21 and 17, can take the witness stand, even though the prosecution and defense attorneys told the judge that they anticipate they will testify that they were not abused when they were minors. If so, their testimony would conflict with previous statements the men gave to psychiatrists and law enforcement authorities that they were abused, attorneys have said in court hearings. The men also are considered witnesses to the abuse of the girl, Wall has said. Bernard also allegedly abused the men when they were ages 16 and 12, and Wall also plans to present evidence about the alleged abuse at trial to show a "lustful disposition toward children," court records show.
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