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Former pastor Otis Holland on trial for multiple counts of sexual abuse
By Jami Seymore
News3TV
January 12, 2016
http://www.news3lv.com/content/news/local/story/Former-pastor-Otis-Holland-on-trial-for-abuse/BqmN__DdeUucYPGjRMl9Bw.cspx
LAS VEGAS (KSNV News3LV) - The mother of one of the alleged victims in the case of a pastor accused of having sex with minors told the jury she thought her daughter was just receiving counseling.
In an audio recording played in court, former pastor Otis Holland is heard asking the mother if he has her permission to counsel her daughter about sex.
This victim's mother told the jury Monday she was having trouble with her 15-year-old daughter's behavior and sought out Holland and his church for help.
Prosecutors continue to try and show the pastor she put her faith in was misleading them all.
"What I'd like for you to tell her is you've given me full permission and authority, to the level of her comfortability, to enter into sexual matters, content and etc. etc. etc," Holland is heard saying in the recording.
"I give you full permission," the victim's mother responds in the recording.
The mother testified that she eventually learned Holland was having sex with her daughter and they went to the police.
She was asked Monday by the prosecutor what she thought Holland meant when he asked for her permission.
"Speaking to her, talking to her, maybe positively getting her mind away from sex," said the mother.
Defense attorney Carmine Colucci argued the counseling by Holland had been helpful. The victim's mother testified she heard her daughter say so at a Sunday service.
"Were you present when she told the congregation that Reverend Holland's counseling had helped her not have sex with her boyfriend?" Colucci asked.
"Yes," the victim's mother responded.
Holland is facing 17 counts stemming from alleged sexual abuse of minors.
He's been in prison for four years awaiting trial. If convicted, he faces life in prison.
Prosecutors are expected to rest their case Tuesday.
During his defense, Holland will be asked if he's going to testify. His attorney has said he will not, but the decision ultimately rests on the pastor.
Contact: savila@sbgtv.com
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