Pastor Accused of Sex Abuse Released from Jail

By Stephen Floyd
Herald and News
December 10, 2015

http://www.heraldandnews.com/news/pastor-accused-of-sex-abuse-released-from-jail/article_f144be40-9463-536f-84ef-0fd571c8ebc9.html


A local pastor accused of sexually abusing a congregation member has been released from jail, but remains barred from interacting with church members.

Larry Marshall Murrell, 63, was released Tuesday on his own recognizance while waiting trial on charges of second-degree sexual abuse and third-degree sexual abuse (two counts). As a condition of his release, Murrell is allowed no contact with the congregation or the victim, as requested by prosecutors.

Though a trial was scheduled for Wednesday, the court granted a continuance allowing Murrell’s attorney, privately retained Nathan Ratliff of Klamath Falls, more time to investigate and potentially reach a settlement with prosecutors.

A new trial date has not been scheduled and Murrell’s next court appearance is Feb. 2 before Judge Dan Bunch.

Murrell had been in custody since Oct. 7 after he was arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of an adult, female congregation member. He had served for a number of years as reverend of the House of Prayer for All Nations church on Vine Street in Klamath Falls.

Though he has pleaded not guilty to all charges, he admitted in a series of informal letters to the court that the sexual contact occurred, but claimed it was not predatory.

If convicted, he could face a maximum of seven years in prison.