Have you ever wondered how your life could change if you were (falsely) accused of molesting a child? A middle-aged friend of mine doesn’t have to wonder. He is serving a 60-year sentence in a high-security Missouri prison. Despite seeing horrific violence, his faith keeps him from bitterness. He has forgiven his accuser and spends as much time as possible in Bible study and ministering to fellow inmates.
This man had no prior criminal record. It took the state three trials to convict him in 2023, moving the case through changes of venue each time. The first two juries heard all the facts and could not agree on a conviction.
Crucially, those first two juries heard from the lead investigator. He testified that a forensic examination of my friend’s tablet found zero pornography. This directly contradicted the alleged victim’s testimony that he had shown her pornography on that device. Because no pornography was found, there was no physical evidence. The first two juries could not stomach convicting a respected community member solely on a story that contradicted a professional detective’s findings.
So why was he convicted the third time?
Because the third jury never heard the investigator’s testimony. The prosecution chose not to call him the third time. The defense team, assuming the state would call him as before, made a critical oversight and failed to subpoena him themselves.
There is now a hopeful development. My friend has been granted a public hearing at the Steelville courthouse on Tuesday, October 20 at 2 p.m. A judge will hear his attorney’s motion to vacate, set aside, or correct the judgment and sentence. In the courtroom, you may also hear about other serious mistakes, including a failure to disclose witnessed juror misconduct.
I hope and pray this travesty of justice finally comes to an end.
Laura Hausladen
Bourbon
