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  Boot Camp Abuse Trial Results in Hung Jury

By Thomas Piland
KRIS
May 5, 2008

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8272148

[with video]

CORPUS CHRISTI-A hung jury was declared on Friday in the trial of a pastor and a boot camp worker, who allegedly abused a 15-year-old girl at a camp near Banquete. KRIS 6 News was the only station to interview a witness who said she saw the girl being dragged behind a vehicle.

Last July, Camp Director Pastor Charles Flowers and employee Stephanie Bassitt allegedly tied the girl to the back of a van and dragged her down a dirt road, resulting in bruises, according to an arrest affidavit.

Bobbi Greer was at the camp during the alleged abuse. She described it as horrific, adding, "I saw this girl drug behind a van. It was horrible. I can't see up close. I don't have any problem. It was a horrible horrendous crime. And this man and this girl should go to prison for it."

On Friday, a Nueces County jury consisting of eight men and four women could not reach a verdict and Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos declared a hung jury.

One juror, Julie Fomenko, said, "It was very difficult. It was a tough case and it was hard to decide."

The prosecution told 6 News as the jury deliberated they asked that some of the evidence be read back to them, to clarify some of their questions.

Fomenko said it was a difficult two weeks and a grueling case work on.

When asked how she felt about her decision, Fomenko replied, "I'm sorry we couldn't come to a conclusion. I feel very confident with my decision. I believe an assault did not take place."

6 News tried to speak with boot camp supporters about the ruling but they would not comment.

 
 

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