By Mark Caudill
News Journal
August 29, 2009
http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20090829/NEWS01/908290308
MANSFIELD -- Gretchen Rocks said she finally felt free.
"It feels like a new beginning," Rocks said Friday after a jury convicted John Picard on 42 counts of sexual battery. "I feel like I can breathe."
The eight-man, four-woman jury deliberated more than three hours before finding the former youth pastor guilty on all counts. Picard, 41, of Englewood, used coercion to form sexual relationships with female parishioners at Grace Brethren Church on Marion Avenue.
He could receive up to 110 years in prison. Richland County Common Pleas Judge James Henson did not immediately set a sentencing date.
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| Former youth pastor John Picard was taken into custody Friday after he was found guilty on 42 counts of sexual battery. Photo by Jason J. Molyet |
The former youth pastor showed no emotion as Henson read the verdict at the end of a six-day trial.
There was plenty of emotion in the gallery of about a dozen people, which included three of the six victims. Filling two rows, many in the gallery held hands.
As Henson dismissed the jury, the victims and their loved ones hugged. Rocks' mother sobbed, burying her face in her hands as her husband comforted her.
Rocks, 29, was perhaps the key witness in the trial. In July 2008, she agreed to call Picard while police taped the conversation in hopes Picard would incriminate himself. The call led to his arrest.
"That was hard to do, but I really think it showed how powerful his manipulations were," Rocks said. "Now, looking back, I was being brainwashed."
The News Journal does not generally identify victims of sex crimes, but Rocks gave permission for this story.
Rocks met Picard when she was 13. The sexual abuse started soon thereafter.
Like the gallery, Assistant Prosecutor Bambi Couch-Page struggled with her emotions. She normally handles the sex abuse cases for the office.
"Each one is emotionally very draining," Couch-Page said. "When you have to deal with six victims instead of one or two, it's even more so."
Police started investigating Picard in 2005 when the first victim came forward, but were unable to build a case. Couch-Page said the case never went cold.
"He was always on the radar," she said. "I took the case then. I was going to follow it until the end."
Rocks said she was glad Couch-Page kept that promise, and credited the assistant prosecutor for being there for the victims.
Defense attorney James Banks declined comment. In his closing argument, Banks contended the sexual conduct was consensual and suggested the victims were told what to say on the witness stand.
Rocks had credibility issues. She previously told police she had been attacked four times in a year, then admitted she made up at least two of the incidents. The controlled phone call to Picard vindicated her in this case.
"It is a very sad thing," Rocks said. "I truly don't wish harm for him. I just believe he couldn't stop.
"This is the only way, for his own good and for society."
Contact: mcaudill@nncogannett.com, 419-521-7219.
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