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  Teenager Claims Youth Minister Molested Her

By Matt C. Abbott
Renew America
August 13, 2009

http://www.kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=10895277&nav=HMO6

WARNING: This story contains graphic material and may not be suitable for everyone.

A 15-year-old girl, who says she was molested by a Tucson youth minister takes the stand today.

Christopher Decaire, 49, is now on trial facing multiple charges, including sexual abuse of a minor, sexual conduct with a minor and child molestation.

He worked part-time at the Eastside Tucson Baptist Church.

Police arrested Decaire back in January 2008, based on allegations from a 13-year-old.

News 4 cameras weren't allowed to show the victim, but the cameras did record her testimony. It's very graphic.

Opening statements by the prosecution talked about the victim enjoying the church youth group and looking up to Decaire as a father figure. Then it changed.

"His vulgar touchings started first by rubbing up against her body, commenting about her body, how he liked it," says prosecutor Michelle Araneta.

To be balanced the defense attorney, Richard Bock claims the evidence will show the victim was a despondent adolescent.

"It's going to show she has a vivid imagination as she is desperately seeking attention of her mother," says Bock.

The victim was 13 when the incidents allegedly occurred. She claims they were primarily in the youth building; some in the kitchen.

"He put my shirt down, unzipped his pants. And then what happened? He touched my stomach with his penis."

She says other incidents took place in his office.

"He put his penis in my mouth."

She says Decaire often said, "He always told me if anybody found out that he would probably kill himself and that he could go to jail for the rest of his life."

The last time the victim says they had oral sex, he ejaculated, and some of the semen landed on her black jacket. It was introduced into evidence.

Also introduced as evidence was a taped recording of a phone conversation between the victim and youth pastor.

In the taped recording, Decaire says, "You can't tell you, can't say anything, you can't, I don't care what she knows, you can't say anything. Oh God."

That taped phone conversation lasted about half an hour.

Tucson police detectives were recording it and were also having her ask some of the questions.

The trial starts up again Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in Judge Jane Eikleberry's courtroom.

The victim's sister is scheduled to testify.

 
 

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