FLORIDA
Associated Baptist Press
By Bob Allen
The Florida Baptist Convention is contesting a May 17 jury verdict that found the Southern Baptist Convention affiliate liable for sexual abuse committed by a former church planter.
The Florida Baptist Witness reported June 12 that the convention’s lawyer has filed motions asking Lake County Circuit Judge Richard Singletary to overturn the jury’s decision and grant a new trial.
The verdict, which came at the end of a two-week trial, found the state convention negligent for failing to check with former employers of Douglas Myers, now in prison for molesting a 13-year-old boy he met at a church he started with support from Southern Baptists in Florida.
Attorney E.T. Fernandez said the motions will be considered at a hearing Aug. 1. If they are denied, he said the convention will appeal. That would have to wait until completion of a second trial to establish the amount of damages the convention owes.
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