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	Pastor's Trial on Sex-abuse Allegations Underway Today By Bryan Tait The Bugle-Observer January 11, 2010 http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/915979 WOODSTOCK - Jury selection will take place this morning in the first of two trials for a former pastor in Carleton and Victoria counties. Frederick Douglas Hanson, 59, is charged with three counts of sexually touching a person under the age of 14 and one count of sexually touching the body of a person under the age of 14 while in a position of trust. The crimes are alleged to have occurred in the Plaster Rock area between May 1 and 29, 2006; May 29, 2006, and Dec. 31, 2007; Sept. 1 and 30, 2007; and between Nov. 1 and 30, 2007. Approximately 150 potential jurors are expected to fill the main courtroom at the Woodstock courthouse this morning. Candidates will be interviewed by Court of Queen's Bench Justice Terrence Morrison, Crown prosecutor Pierre Roussel and Hanson's attorney, Robert Digdon. Sheriff Tim Wiebe said 500 notices were sent out to potential jurors for the trial. Of those, Wiebe said 350 screen themselves out for various reasons including health problems, anyone over 70 doesn't have to serve, and people employed as medical professionals or other vital services don't have to serve. The charges against Hanson will also be read into the court record for the first time, along with a complete list of witnesses. Wiebe said potential jurors can inform the judge of personal conflicts with any witnesses. The sheriff said any conflict allows candidates to be excused from jury duty. There had been a suggestion of holding jury selection at the Carleton Civic Centre, due to the number of people and the size of the main courtroom at the Woodstock courthouse. The first trial is scheduled to wrap up Jan. 14. Hanson is also scheduled to go to trial on a second set of charges, beginning Jan. 18. The second trial will deal with a charge of sexual assault alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 1988, and Dec. 31, 1990, and a charge of indecent assault alleged to have occurred between Jan. 1, 1971, and Dec. 31, 1974. Both charges allegedly occurred in the Somerville area. A similar number of potential jurors are expected for the second trial, and the same procedure will be followed. Madam Justice Paulette Garnett will preside over the second trial, which is scheduled to conclude Jan. 22. Hanson is well known in the Upper St. John River Valley. He was involved in the Wakefield Free Will Baptist Church and St. John River Bible Camp in Somerville. Hanson stepped down from his position as moderator of the Atlantic Canada Association of Free Will Baptists and pastor of the Plaster Rock Free Will Baptist Church in February 2008, after the RCMP investigation was made public.
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