By Randall Clark
Today's Sunbeam
July 29, 2009
http://www.nj.com/salem/index.ssf/2009/07/salem_pastors_accuser_in_teen.html
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| Bishop Glenn Dickson faces a citizen complaint for assault. |
SALEM -- A woman who pressed charges on an influential city pastor for allegedly assaulting her 16-year-old daughter expressed desire for a mutual forgiveness in municipal court this week.
After nearly two hours and 100 offenders, many of them repeat and notorious in the city, Bishop Glenn Dickson answered before Judge David Krell on a citizen complaint that he allegedly threw the girl to the ground during a dispute on July 21, giving her a bloody nose.
Following their investigation, police did not file charges against Dickson, spiritual leader of the Reborn Evangelistic Crusade Ministries on Grant Street.
The victim's mother, Ruth Richardson, told the judge on Tuesday she did not want to see Dickson get slapped with a fine or perhaps worse, but preferred they go through some type of counseling together.
"I would like, if he don't mind, if we go through mediation. That we both sit in front of a witness and talk about the situation," Richardson said. "I don't want to do him no harm."
Richardson said while her daughter was wrong to act out, Dickson should not have put his hands on her. The altercation started over what to feed someone at summer camp in the church, police said.
Though because city Prosecutor David Puma felt there was a conflict of interest with him handling the case, Krell ordered a change of venue so the matter could be heard in Lower Alloways Creek Township on Aug. 11.
Krell said a resolution can be worked out there.
The teenager was employed at the church through the Salem County One-Stop Career Center's summer work program for young adults, funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
About 90 Salem County teens and young adults are participating in the paid internships until Aug. 21 for $7.25 per hour, employed at offices, non-profits and parks around the county. The alleged victim was reassigned following the incident.
A dozen or so members of Dickson's congregation attended the municipal court hearing Tuesday in a show of support. Dickson has been a leading advocate for peace in the city.
He did not want to comment Wednesday because the case is still pending.
Dickson's attorney, Jason Witcher, said he hopes this misunderstanding can be resolved amicably.
"(Dickson) is an upstanding pillar in the community, he has a spotless record here," Witcher said. "It's a shame this issue has even been taken to this extreme."
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