Hung Jury in Pastor's Abuse Case

Muncie Free Press
January 14, 2012

http://www.munciefreepress.com/node/25146

MUNCIE, IN - A hung jury was the result of a Muncie pastor accused of sexually molesting teenage congregation members almost a decade ago.

Members of the Freedom Point Apostolic Church stood by and testified in behalf of Matthew A. Kidd, 55, who was accused of sexually molesting two brothers who testified against him in Delaware Circuit Court 3 this week. Judge Linda Ralu Wolf declared a mistrial Friday after jurors could not reach a verdict on two of the serious charges, sexual misconduct with a minor and child molesting, both felonies. The jury found Kidd not guilty of vicarious sexual gratification, another felony.

Defense attorney Steve Bruce tried to get Wolf to declare a mistrial just days before, and insisted there was no physical evidence of abuse. The victims' family filed a civil suit against Kidd which Bruce suggested was motivating the criminal case.

Chief Deputy Prosecutor Judi Calhoun had the brothers testify that Kidd fondled them and suggested they masturbate while he watched. The abuse reportedly began in 2002 and a couple years afterwards. After the hung jury, Calhoun immediately said Kidd would be retried after it was obvious there was not enough evidence to convict the pastor.

Members of Kidd's congregation packed the courtroom during final arguments Friday and kept him on as their pastor during the case.