BishopAccountability.org
 
  Alleged Victim Testifies against Former Priest

The Coloradoan [Fort Collins CO]
March 20, 2007

http://www.coloradoan.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070320/UPDATES01/70320023

The alleged victim in a molestation case involving former Catholic priest Timo-thy Joseph Evans described to prosecutors the circumstances involving two inci-dences of inappropriate touch that allegedly occurred in 1999.

The alleged victim made the statements this afternoon during the first day of the trial. The Coloradoan does not identify the names of sexual assault victims.

The alleged victim described both incidents, which he said took place in the Fort Collins rectory where Evans lived. He alleges that during a wrestling match in Evans' bedroom, that the priest pinned him down and fondled him, reaching under this shirt at one point and then to his genital region.

Former priest on trial
Tim Evans, left, talks with his lawyer, Andy Gavaldon, right, during his trial Tuesday March 20, 2007, at the Larimer County Justice Center.
Photo by V. Richard Haro/Coloradoan

Prosecutors played a half-hour tape of a conversation between the alleged victim and Evans that took place in December 2004 in which Evans apologized for the incidents.

"It was not my place to be your savior, and I probably did more damage than good," Evans said in the recording. "I apologize for that; you know I've paid a heavy price."

The first incident allegedly occurred after the two had watched a Denver Bron-cos' playoff game together at the priest's residence.

"He moved his hands from my back to my buttocks, lifting me to my toes," the alleged victim told the prosecutor about the incident that occurred while the two were hugging before the alleged victim left the house.

The alleged victim said the priest had told him he had invited the incident upon himself by placing his knee in Evan's groin area during the embrace.

Jury selection was completed earlier in the morning then the prosecution and defense attorneys gave their opening statements in the case before the alleged victim took the stand. The jury consists of nine women and five men, including two alternates. They were selected from a pool of 89 candidates.

District Judge Jolene Blairinstructed the jury members to avoid outside conver-sation about the case and to stay away from any media reports. Blair has said she expects witness testimonies in the case to take about one week to complete.

 
 

Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.