Updated with Video: Pastor Sentenced to Life for Child Rape

By Courtney Astolfi
Sandusky Register
October 7, 2016

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/Law-Enforcement/2016/10/07/Mick-trial-entering-final-stages.html

Full story 3:15 p.m.

A Sandusky pastor was convicted of child rape and sentenced to life in prison Friday at the conclusion of a tumultuous trial.

A jury found Richard Mick, 55, of Lighthouse Baptist Church, guilty on four felony counts, two of which carried a mandatory life sentence.

Mick raped a young girl on two occasions, and fondled a young boy multiple times. Both were members of his church.

“A pastor is (supposed) to take care of his flock,” Erie County Common Pleas Court Judge Roger Binette told Mick. “You didn't do that.”

He called Mick a “wolf in sheep's clothing,” before handing down the sentence.

“They thought you were protecting them and you weren't. You were harming them,” Binette said.

Mick received a life sentence for raping the girl and an additional five years for victimizing the boy.

Two other alleged victims testified at trial this week, detailing other alleged abuse they said they sustained at Mick's hands.

The pastor is facing eight additional counts of gross sexual imposition for one of those cases, which is still pending. Over the coming months, Mick will likely be shuttled back to Erie County to answer for those alleged crimes.

“This trial has been about courage, the courage of four young adults to come forward and share their inner demons,” said assistant Erie County prosecutor Aaron Lindsey during his closing arguments Friday morning.

The jury ultimately agreed with prosecutors. They returned with guilty verdicts after less than two hours of deliberation.

The defense strategy of Mick's attorney, K. Ronald Bailey, was highly unusual. He refused to participate in the trial, and essentially argued no case on his client's behalf. Local officials said they'd never witnessed anything like it.

Consequently, Binette held Bailey in direct contempt of court, and he may now be facing jail time for his tactics.

After Mick was sentenced, the court moved on directly to Bailey's contempt proceedings.

He asked the judge for additional time in order to find adequate legal representation. Binette told Bailey to inform him immediately if he'd need further delays. A hearing date was then set for Oct. 24.

Neither Bailey nor Mick weighed in prior to Mick's sentencing. When given the opportunity to say his piece, Mick declined. None of the victims spoke either.

Mick was turned over to Erie County deputies and taken to jail. He'll remain there until his transfer to prison in the coming days.

11:10 a.m. A jury found the Rev. Richard Mick, a Sandusky pastor, guilty on all four counts of abuse after a short deliberation this morning. The court is proceeding directly to sentencing. Check back here for updates.

10:40 a.m.: Jurors came back just moments ago, reportedly with a verdict. Check back here for updates.

9:10 a.m.: Judge Roger Binette is reading through the jury’s instructions, and reminded jurors that the burden of proof rests entirely with the prosecution.

“The defendant does not have to cross examine witnesses, (call witnesses), challenge the state's evidence...make opening statements or closing arguments. You can't hold it against the defendant if he doesn't choose to do those things,” Binette told the jury.

This speaks directly to the ongoing legal disputes in this trial. Defense attorney Bailey has refused to participate and did not partake in any of those various proceedings.

8:50 a.m.: Day four of the Richard Mick trial has commenced.

Assistant Erie County prosecutor Aaron Lindsey is making his closing arguments to the jury.

He’s recapping the alleged victims’ testimony from yesterday.

“This trial has been about courage, the courage of four young adults to come forward and share their inner demons. They came into this court and told you want happened at the hands of the defendant,” Lindsey said.

Yesterday, defense attorney K. Ronald Bailey was held in contempt of court for refusing to participate.