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Former Union County Pastor to Register As Sex Offender

By Sam Smith
WSIL
October 15, 2013

http://www.wsiltv.com/news/local/Former-Union-County-Pastor-to-Register-as-Sex-Offender-227870251.html

Bill Vandergraph, a former Alto Pass pastor, must now register as a sex offender. Vandergraph is accused of sexually assaulting his four-year-old foster child three years ago

Vandergraph is charged with Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault. The 75-year-old is also battling dementia. The state built a strong enough case to convict the former pastor, but the court says his mental disease makes him unfit for trial.

"In this particular case, the judge found that there was enough evidence and it's a legal conclusion of 'not not guilty'," said Allen James, Vandergraph's attorney.

Being "not not guilty," means Vandergraph would have gone to trial and possibly sent to prison if he was fit. James says his client is at home and taking medication for his mental illness and that's the best place for him going forward.

The state will explore all options. State's Attorney Tyler Edmonds says several psychiatrists have been involved in the case so far and those doctors will give their input to determine Vandergraph's fate.

"Ultimately, what will happen now, is the court will determine whether the defendant is remanded to the Department of Human Services since the defendant was unfit, it goes down that track, rather than the Department of Corrections track," explained Edmonds.

The next hearing for Vandergraph is Dec. 12.

 

 

 

 

 




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