BishopAccountability.org

No righting the wrong when there's no justice for victims

By Samantha Perry
Bluefield Daily Telegraph
August 14, 2016

http://www.bdtonline.com/opinion/columns/no-righting-the-wrong-when-there-s-no-justice-for/article_2f575066-7755-5d29-82b7-037fa24b2d77.html

Samantha Perry is editor of the Daily Telegraph.

It begins tentatively. A polite hug by strangers thrown into a horrific, tumultuous situation by a roll of the dice of the fates.

In seconds it becomes real — arms holding each other tight. Emotions draining. Tears flowing. I mutter the only words I can find at the moment.

“I am so sorry.”

The words seem trite — small in comparison to the gravity of the verdict that has rocked the courtroom audience. But in the shock of the moment I am at a loss for eloquence.

What does one say to the victim of a child sexual predator who is victimized, once again, by the state’s judicial system?

•••

I ignore the hard seat of the wooden courtroom pew as I watch Timothy Probert’s facial expressions. As in previous hearings, he keeps his head low, avoiding eye contact with victims and others in the room.

Silently, I will him to turn his head. Be a man. Look at those who have been harmed through his depraved, sexual appetites. It does no good. His head remains bowed.

I am reminded of a bully who is busted, when the world is shown his true colors.

Four months ago Probert admitted to his crimes when pleading guilty to 37 counts of child sexual abuse related charges. On this day he learns his future fate.

•••

I have covered this case since November of 2013. It began with an investigation, followed by an arrest. What followed was countless due-process hearings that, I can only imagine, were torturous for the victims.

It is important to note that Probert admitted to his crimes from the onset. There was no denial of his dirty deeds.

Through his trusted role as a youth volunteer with Westminster Presbyterian Church and a mentor with the Working to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect (WE CAN) program, he brought boys and young teens into his home and molested them. He did this with a strategic, systematic, well thought-out plan.

Probert had a ritual.

Booze, pornography ... and more.

 

And then came the final all-important step. The one that kept the boys silent and his perverted secrets safe from good-hearted neighbors and members of the church.

Shame.

•••

I am reminded of the manipulative powers of this monster during his sentencing hearing when a victim bravely stands in front of the court to give a statement. He is now a man, but the abuse occurred when he was a mere 14 years old.

“The euphoria of having access to alcohol and pornography always wore off, and gave way to a smothering shame for the sexual abuse that happened in Tim Probert’s house,” he told the court. “That’s the way you feel when someone takes advantage of you; when they prey on your youth, immaturity, raging hormones and naiveté. On one occasion the shame and despair were so heavy that I simply walked out of Tim’s house in my underwear with a blanket wrapped around me. I wanted to get away from him and from the shame, but I felt trapped. That’s how you feel when someone treats you like you exist to fulfill their deeply perverted sexual cravings.”

•••

Timothy Probert shattered the world of childhood innocence for numerous young boys in Mercer County. He did this while wearing a mask of decorum, civility and christianity in front of their parents and guardians.

He cultivated trust to feed ugly sex acts with youngsters. Can there be any worse monster?

During his sentencing hearing Friday, Probert’s attorney lauded his acceptance of responsibility and the fact that he had voluntarily undergone chemical castration while out on bond and awaiting the adjudication of his case.

Really?

Does anyone believe this will ease the pain and suffering of his victims?

•••

Probert faced 171 to 489 years in prison for his admitted crimes. In the end, he was sentenced by an out-of-town judge to 15 to 35 years. He could be out in as little as 12 years.

The shock and disbelief in the courtroom was palpable. How does a serial child molester get off so easy? Where was the justice in Mercer County for the men of today and the boys of long ago?

The hugs don’t right the wrongs, but they are a moment of shared compassion for those who have witnessed the ravages of child sexual assault.

Contact: sperry@bdtonline.com




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