Former Pastor Seeks to Overturn Decision in Child Sex Case, Kevin Jenkins, The Spectrum, June 12, 2010

Former Pastor Seeks to Overturn Decision in Child Sex Case

By Kevin Jenkins
The Spectrum
June 12, 2010

http://www.thespectrum.com/article/20100612/NEWS01/6120307/Former+pastor+seeks+to+overturn+decision+in+child+sex+case

ST. GEORGE - A former pastor charged last year in a child sexual abuse case is seeking to reverse his decision to avoid a hearing of the prosecution's evidence in the case.

Kris Lounsbury, 62, of St. George waived his right to a preliminary hearing in March on charges of rape, aggravated sexual abuse of a child and forcible sexual abuse in a case reportedly involving three girl relatives.

Lounsbury, who ran a failed bid for the Republican nomination against U.S. House of Representatives incumbent Jim Matheson in 2006, filed a letter with Judge G. Rand Beacham within days of the decision, apologizing for "freezing up" in court when asked if he understood he was waiving his right for the court to examine the credibility of the prosecution's evidence.

Lounsbury wrote he didn't properly understand what he was doing when he waived the hearing and asked what questions his attorney would be able to present to witnesses against him.

"Basically, he says he wasn't fully advised of his rights," Deputy County Attorney Brian Filter said. "Obviously, I'd disagree with that."

Lounsbury's attorney withdrew from the case a week later and was replaced by Aric Cramer, who Thursday was granted an August hearing on his motion to set aside the past decision and allow his client to receive a preliminary hearing.

In the letter to Beacham, Lounsbury stated he has repeatedly acknowledged being guilty of an unspecified offense against one of the alleged victims, but he stated a polygraph test reinforced his claim he's not guilty of the most serious charges.

In April, Lounsbury was arrested at the courthouse following his appearance at a hearing after a different relative reported his daughter had presented new allegations against Lounsbury.

Lounsbury was booked into jail on two counts of aggravated sexual abuse in the new case and posted a $50,000 bail bond. A hearing on the status of the new case is scheduled later this month.

Cramer said the August hearing may require an hour or two of the court's schedule and Lounsbury would testify about his decision to waive his right to the preliminary hearing.

Filter said he may call Lounsbury's former attorney, Larry Meyers, to testify also.

The court also reinforced Thursday its ruling that Lounsbury not have contact with the alleged victims.

Lounsbury served for many years as a lay minister of the Living Word Christian Fellowship in St. George, but withdrew recently amid concerns about the charges.

Contact: kevin@thespectrum.com