Accused Clergyman Robert Morris, former Southlake pastor, faces initial court hearing on Friday amidst sex crime allegations.
Riding the Waves of Controversy: Robert Morris' Court Case Unveiled
Get ready to delve into the controversial world of Robert Morris, the ex-pastor of the Texas-based megachurch Gateway Church, who is gearing up for his first court appearance in Oklahoma. This long-anticipated court date is set for May 9th at 10 a.m. A series of alarming allegations have surfaced against Morris, accusing him of lewd or indecent acts with a minor, with roots dating back to the 1980s[1].
The Claims of the Past
The wheels of justice have been in motion for nearly a year, all stemming from the account of Cindy Clemishire, who alleged Morris abused her when she was a mere 12 years old in 1982[1]. The abuse persisted for more than four years while Clemishire resided in Oklahoma[1].
In June of last year, Morris tendered his resignation following the exposure of his "sexually inappropriate behavior" with a child[1]. In a statement to The Christian Post, Morris admitted to "kissing and petting" the child, but clarified that it did not involve intercourse[1]. This was the only public statement he made to address the allegations at the time[1].
KERA News reached out to Morris' legal team, but have yet to receive a response[1].
The Indictments and the Arrest
In March, a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma City indicted Morris[1]. He was subsequently charged with no less than five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a minor[1]. Attorney General Gentner Drummond decried such actions, stating, "There can be no tolerance for those who sexually prey on children"[1]. The case is particularly reprehensible, given Morris'position as a pastor who exploited his role, Drummond added[1].
Morris surrendered himself to officials in Osage County shortly after being indicted[1]. Court records indicate an Osage County judge set a $50,000 bond, and Morris relinquished his passport[1]. In a rather surprising turn of events, Morris spent only about 14 minutes in jail before being released on bond, as per CBS News[1]. The statute of limitations does not apply to this case because Morris was not a resident or inhabitant of Oklahoma at any time, according to Oklahoma's Legal Research System[1].
The Implications of Friday's Hearing
The pre-preliminary hearing on Friday provides Morris an opportunity to confer with legal counsel, prosecutors, and the judge prior to the formal preliminary hearing[1]. If a plea deal is proposed, Morris' attorneys may attempt to negotiate it. However, if a plea deal is not offered or declined, a preliminary hearing will be scheduled[1].
Court records reflect that Morris has pleaded not guilty[1]. If found guilty, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count[1].
Penelope Rivera is KERA's breaking news reporter. Don't hesitate to share your tips with Penelope at [email protected] [1][2][3].
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- The breaking news about Robert Morris, the former pastor of the Southlake megachurch, is causing a stir as he gears up for his first court appearance in Oklahoma, accused of lewd or indecent acts with a minor from the 1980s.
- The allegations against Morris were first brought forth by Cindy Clemishire, who claimed he abused her when she was 12 years old in Oklahoma, a claim that has been under investigation for nearly a year.
- In June last year, Morris resigned from his position following the exposure of his "sexually inappropriate behavior" with a child, admitting to "kissing and petting" but denying intercourse.
- In March, a grand jury in Oklahoma indicted Morris on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a minor, with Attorney General Gentner Drummond condemning such actions as intolerable, especially from someone in a position of authority like Morris.
- If found guilty, Morris faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each count, with the first court date set for May 9th at 10 a.m.
- As the health-and-wellness, general-news, crime-and-justice, and scientific communities closely watch the developments in the trial, theLimitations of the statute of limitations do not apply to this case as Morris was not a resident of Oklahoma at the time of the alleged abuse.
