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	Culpeper Minister Pleads Not Guilty Culpeper Pastor Pleads Not Guilty to Child-Abuse Charges By Donnie Johnston The Free Lance-Star September 19, 2006 http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2006/092006/09192006/222894 The Culpeper minister charged with cruelty to children and taking indecent liberties with a minor pleaded not guilty on all counts yesterday. Charles V. Shifflett, 55, also demanded a jury trial during his appearance before Circuit Judge John Cullen. Orange attorney Sammy Higginbotham, who, along with Charles Bowman, is representing Shifflett, also informed Cullen that his client is waiving his right to a speedy trial. Cullen attempted to set two different trial dates in January but was unable to because Higginbotham explained that he and Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Smith have not yet agreed on how the eight counts will be tried. The court did not rule yesterday on an earlier prosecution motion to enjoin as many as seven of the counts for one trial but try at least one count in another. "If the court will give us some time, I think the commonwealth and I can work that out," Higginbotham said. Cullen set Oct. 25 at 1:30 to rule on the prosecution's motion. If the cases are not joined, then as many as four separate trials might be necessary. The charges against Shifflett stem from alleged incidents that occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s while he was pastor of Calvary Baptist Church. All the complainants were students at Calvary Baptist Academy, part of the church's community outreach ministry, at the time of the alleged incidents. To reach DONNIE JOHNSTON: Email: djohnston@freelancestar.com
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