Edouard Case Continued, by Steve Woodhouse, The Journal-Express, August 5, 2011

Edouard Case Continued

By Steve Woodhouse
The Journal-Express
August 5, 2011

http://journalexpress.net/breakingnews/x850291319/Edouard-case-continued

Patrick Edouard, a former pastor at the Covenant Reformed Church in Pella is facing seven felony charges.

Knoxville — At the request of his attorney, the trial of Patrick Edouard has been continued.

Edouard, 41, a former pastor at the Covenant Reformed Church in Pella, was arrested March 23 and charged with three counts of sexual abuse third degree and four counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor.

Court records indicate that Edouard, pictured, forced sexual contact on at least three women while serving as the minister from 2003-10. Each sexual abuse complaint included statements that Edouard told the women that if they reported the abuse, no one would believe them. In one case, he told the woman that her husband would not forgive her.

Edouard's attorney, Angela Campbell, filed the motion for continuance on Aug. 3. In the motion, she states that more time is needed to depose an expert witness for the state. Campbell also requested more time for greater investigation into the case.

Campbell's motion states that the defense team could be ready for trial by Dec. 5. A calendar entry, made by Judge John Lloyd, indicates that the pretrial conference in this case is scheduled for Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. The entry makes no mention of a new trial date.

Edouard has moved to Byron Center, Mich., after resigning from his position at the church. It has been reported that Edouard resigned after being confronted with the accusations by the church board. He is out on bond.