BishopAccountability.org
	Update: Wrap up of Tony Alamo Trial Tuesday By Jessica Ponder KTHV July 21, 2009 http://www.todaysthv.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=88297&catid=2 Here is a wrap up of the events that took place during the trial of Tony Alamo in Texarkana Tuesday. Jennifer Kolbek, wife of fugitive Alamo church member John Kolbek took the stand Tuesday for the defense in Tony Alamo's trial. After giving testimony, Kolbek pleaded the fifth during cross examination by the government. Because of that decision, her testimony was stricken from the record. As she left the building, she was served papers by the Department of Human Services in an ongoing custody battle involving church members' children. Earlier, Sharon Alamo testified that she and Tony were never officially married and they were just "together." During recross, Sharon Alamo told the prosecution that none of the church property is in Tony's name or in the name of the church for tax purposes. Earlier Sharon Alamo could not explain why she took his last name and wore a wedding ring. She also testified that over the past 20 years, that as many as 13 women and young girls lived with Tony Alamo. One of those girls was as young as 8 years old. She could not confirm that the girls were married to Tony Alamo, but all wore wedding rings. She also testified to three trips calling them church-related trips. Defense attorney Don Ervin asked if she was aware of any sexual contact between Alamo and the alleged victims on the trips she said "no." Defense attorney Phillip Kuhn described Sharon Alamo's testimony as "very honest." Meanwhile, Tony Alamo arrived in federal court in Texarkana at 6:45 a.m. and was asked why his lawyers did not want him to testify. Alamo said, "I'm going to testify, they've already lost the battle." When asked what battle Alamo replied, "They accused me of child pornography, they accused me of transporting girls across state line they can't do it. They've lost and are now coming up with new charges." When asked if he believed he was above the trial Alamo replied, "I've already won." The government rested at about 8:40 a.m. but not before playing prison tapes of Alamo talking to church members. One of the conversations was with a young child. He said, "I'm getting sick of you kid, you have to do what you have to do or get out. Clean up your stinking mess ... you'll find out I'm still in charge." In a separate conversation Alamo said, "Why would I take them across state lines to have sex with them, I can do that in Arkansas and if I did it, would that be bad?" The defense hopes to wrap their side up by Wednesday. You can follow Crowson's updates throughout the day on Twitter and on todaysthv.com. There is also a Twitter page for Tony Alamo Ministries if you want to check that out.
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