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	Accused Former Principal Takes Stand in Sexual Abuse Trial By Will Bigham Contra Costa Times May 18, 2010 http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_15105487?nclick_check=1 A former principal at Life Center Christian School took the witness stand Monday in his sexual abuse trial and said he never closed his office door when alone with single students. John Asher, 50, is accused of raping a fifth-grade girl and touching a fourth-grader in a sexual manner in his office at the private school in Pomona, which is now known as Charisma Christian Academy. Both of his accusers testified in Pomona Superior Court last week that Asher abused them in the 2000-2001 school year after his office door was closed. Asher testified for about an hour Monday afternoon before the court recessed for the day. He outlined his background in ministry work and discussed some of the school's policies, but he has not yet addressed the sexual abuse allegations. He is expected to testify about the accusations this morning when he retakes the witness stand. A psychologist who was hired by Asher's defense team testified Monday that after conducting two days of testing with Asher - which included interviews and true/false questioning - she concluded Asher did not fit the profile of a pedophile. This afternoon, jurors are scheduled to travel to the school's Arrow Highway campus to take a brief look around the front office and principal's office. The layout of the adjoining areas is a key element of Asher's defense. In his testimony, Asher said that when he was in his office, a secretary or the school's vice principal, and usually both, were working in the front office. Front office workers have testified that they never saw or heard Asher have any inappropriate contact with students. "I trusted him with my kids," said former secretary Cherie Dominguez, whose children attended the school while she worked there from 2000 to 2002. Both of Asher's accusers said in testimony last week that Asher abused them when they were sent to his office to be disciplined. A 19-year-old woman said she was sent to Asher's office after she brought a ladybug into class. The woman said Asher raped her on the office floor. Asher's other accuser, an 18-year-old woman, said Asher fondled her during four or five visits to his office in the 2000-2001 school year. Asher testified that since his graduation from Bible college in 1982, he's worked primarily in church-related jobs. From 1990 to the time criminal charges were filed against him in 2007, the married father of two said he spent many years working with children, either through pastor positions at churches or in volunteer work. "I love kids," he said. "I love teenagers." Three character witnesses also testified Monday for the defense. They said they didn't believe the allegations against Asher were true. "I still think he's an outstanding individual," said Ronald Harris, a friend of Asher's for 20 years.
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