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	Hornbuckle Tells Court He Can't Afford Lawyer By Melody McDonald Star-Telegram September 14, 2006 http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/15522231.htm Fort Worth — Terry Hornbuckle, the pastor who founded a multimillion-dollar megachurch in Arlington and then fell from grace when he was convicted last month of raping three women, says he is too poor to hire an attorney to handle his appeal. In a court document, which he filed himself, Hornbuckle asked the judge to appoint him an appellate lawyer because of his "indigent status." By law, before the court can appoint an attorney for Hornbuckle, he will have to prove that he cannot afford one. An appeal requires a specialized attorney who often charges more than a trial attorney. Officials said a hearing could be scheduled on the matter. Defense attorneys Mike Heiskell and Leon Haley, who represented Hornbuckle during his trial, could not be reached for comment Thursday. Sean Colston, who helped prosecute Hornbuckle last month, said he was surprised by Hornbuckle's request. "It is clear from the record in previous hearings that the Hornbuckles are not indigent," Colston said. "When you preach the gospel of prosperity and flaunt your assets before the world, it is clear that you should be able to pay a lawyer. There are people out there that need court-appointed attorneys and free transcripts, but Mr. Hornbuckle is not one of them." Over the last several years, Hornbuckle and his wife, Renee, have bought luxury cars, including a Cadillac Escalade and a Mercedes-Benz sedan, and homes in Colleyville and Grapevine. In a previous court hearing before Hornbuckle's trial, Renee Hornbuckle said their investments and savings were depleted to pay for bail and lawyers. Hornbuckle and the church are also being sued. Hornbuckle was convicted last month of raping three women, including two former parishioners. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for drugging and raping a woman inside her apartment after meeting her at a fitness club; 14 years for drugging and raping a former church member at a Euless apartment he kept for his sexual escapades; and 10 years for using his position of authority to repeatedly have sex with another former parishioner who had turned to him for counseling. All of the sentences will run at the same time. Hornbuckle was also ordered to pay a $30,000 fine — $10,000 for each victim. Before the rape allegations surfaced, Hornbuckle was a handsome, charismatic "self-appointed bishop" who founded an Arlington megachurch where people worshipped alongside the likes of former Cowboys player Deion Sanders. He was known as a "prosperity preacher," teaching his followers how to achieve financial success by following Jesus Christ. He has written two books on the subject, including Productivity Produces Prosperity and See Your Future Be Your Future, according to the church's Web site. Hornbuckle's rise to the top began in the mid-1980s when he started Victory Temple Bible Church in Irving with about a dozen members at a former Dairy Queen. The church was renamed Agape Christian Fellowship in 1992. By the end of the decade, the congregation worshipped in a 42,000-square-foot facility on nearly 30 acres in southeast Arlington. The property is valued at more than $4 million, according to tax records. Last week, Agape Christian Fellowship's board fired Hornbuckle. His wife is now the senior pastor. Staff writers Max B. Baker and Sandra Baker contributed to this report, which also contains material from the Star-Telegram archives. IN THE KNOW Hornbuckle houses A house that Terry and Renee Hornbuckle sold last year in Colleyville is now valued at $1.9 million, which appears to be considerably more than they paid for it. According to deed records, when the couple bought it in 2001, they financed $452,000. At the time they owned the Colleyville house, the couple also owned a house in Grapevine, which was financed with a $164,250 mortgage. That house was sold in September 2005. In April 2005, Renee Hornbuckle bought a house on Glade Road in Colleyville that the Tarrant Appraisal District values at $741,800. Deed records show that she financed $713,700 on the property. The couple also owns a house in Lancaster that is valued at $202,320 by the Dallas Central Appraisal District. Melody McDonald, 817-390-7386 or mjmcdonald@star-telegram.com
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