Vandergraph Faces More Charges, by Rob Crow, The Southern, August 15 2010

Vandergraph Faces More Charges

By Rob Crow
The Southern
August 15 2010

http://www.thesouthern.com/news/local/article_3d55e0f0-a759-11df-8cb0-001cc4c002e0.html

Bill Vandergraph (center) exits the Union County Courthouse and is helped to a waiting vehicle by friends following a preliminary hearing Friday, Aug. 13 in Jonesboro. Vandergraph has been indicted by a grand jury on the original charge, criminal predatory sexual assault of a child, as well as two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. Defense attorney Allen James asked that Vandergraph be allowed to undergo an evaluation to see if he is physically and mentally fit to stand trial.

JONESBORO - The Rev. Bill Vandergraph was indicted Friday on three sexual assault counts, including two new counts that were announced that morning.

During a preliminary hearing Friday at Union County Courthouse, Circuit Judge Mark Boie announced a grand jury had indicted Vandergraph, 72, on three counts. The original charge of predatory criminal sexual assault of a minor stands, and there are also now two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse. The first charge, a Class X felony, carries a possible sentence of up to 60 years in prison. The two most recent charges are both Class 2 felonies, which carry possible sentences of three to seven years in prison.

Vandergraph, pastor of Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Alto Pass and former president of the Friends of the Cross board, is accused of sexually assaulting a 4-year-old girl. The three charges come from incidents on two separate days with the alleged victim.

Also during Friday's hearing, Boie granted two motions filed by the defense. The first allows Vandergraph to undergo a mental evaluation to see if he is fit to stand trial. Defense attorney Allen James said his client has had difficulty understanding the charges and court process facing him.

"He is not the same person that I first spoke to in July, today. That's why I filed the motion," James said. "I don't think at this time, he's able to assist in his defense."

Union County State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds said he had no problems with such an evaluation, although he may request a re-evaluation, depending on the results.

Also granted was a motion to allow Vandergraph's two adopted children, ages 13 and 14, to live in his house, as long as a third party is present while the children are in the home. Under the original bond agreement, Vandergraph was not allowed any contact with minors.

James argued the children needed to be back in their home, where they could continue their childhood by attending school in the same district as always, instead of being forced to uproot and move to Missouri with a relative.

The children have been interviewed by the Illinois Department of Child and Family Services, and there have been no allegations of wrongdoing with those children, attorneys said.

"It is their home. Mr. Vandergraph is their father," James said. "... They're homesick. They're ready to go home."

Edmonds objected to the motion, saying he did not intend to break up a family, but the charges were too severe to allow children in Vandergraph's home.

"I can't, in good conscience, agree to allow children back into a house where there is such a serious charge and such strong evidence," Edmonds said.

After several minutes of argument and thought, Boie agreed to allow the children to move back into Vandergraph's home, with certain rules in place. He said the issue may be brought up again.

The next court hearing in the case is a status hearing set for 9 a.m. Aug. 31.

rob.crow@thesouthern.com 618-351-5080