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	Pastor Goes to Prison for Assault By Daniel Malloy Pittsburgh Post-Gazette July 31, 2008 http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08213/900770-85.stm Wilkinsburg cleric given 25-50 years for abuse of three preteens There was little doubt in the packed courtroom of Judge John A. Zottola yesterday that the Rev. David J. Baird has helped many troubled youths in Wilkinsburg and surrounding communities. But the good deeds were overshadowed by Mr. Baird's sexual assaults on three young boys, for which he will spend 25 to 50 years in prison. In imposing the sentence, Judge Zottola compared Mr. Baird to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as two of the victims spoke of the man who was their spiritual guide and their tormentor. One victim, now 21, said he still lives in fear. "He was an awesome youth pastor by day," the victim said. "But by night he told a different story." Mr. Baird, who has not admitted guilt and plans to appeal, was the youth minister at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh in Wilkinsburg when the assaults took place. His ministry, called "David's Refuge," aided children in the area. Two former participants in the program -- one of whom flew in from Denver to speak on Mr. Baird's behalf -- said he became a trusted mentor and helped guide them on the path to college. "I am most scared that people are not going to have the opportunity that I did, to be led by him," said Jonathan Hughes, originally of Wilkinsburg, who recently graduated from Villanova University and works at a marketing firm. A second victim didn't dispute the testimony of those who supported Mr. Baird, saying he, too, thought of his former minister as a father figure. But, the victim said, when he confided in Mr. Baird that he was confused about his sexuality, the relationship turned. "That information that I gave him, he abused it," said the victim, now 23. "He took advantage of my trust in him and my trust in God." Still, the boy did not reveal the assaults for several years, he said, because he loved Mr. Baird's family, who frequently hosted children in the ministry for meals and overnight stays. An East Hills boy was the first of the three to come forward, saying the assaults began when he was 9 or 10 years old, and Mr. Baird assaulted him 20 to 40 times over the years. After the first victim went public, two more came forward. All three testified that after Mr. Baird assaulted them, he would begin to cry and ask for forgiveness, and then they would pray together. Several of Mr. Baird's friends and family members -- more than 30 were in the courtroom -- wept after Judge Zottola announced his sentence. For two rape convictions, Mr. Baird was sentenced to 10 to 20 years, plus five to 10 years for indecent assault. Those are the mandatory minimum sentences for those offenses, under new regulations imposed by the state Legislature, but Judge Zottola had them run consecutively, lengthening the jail time. Mr. Baird, who has a broken left leg, was led away from the courtroom with his wrists cuffed to his crutches. He declined an opportunity to speak in his own defense. Daniel Malloy can be reached at dmalloy@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1731.
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