IOWA
KCCI
ADEL, Iowa –
The former pastor of a Pella church took the witness stand Monday afternoon in his sexual abuse and exploitation trial.
Prosecutors said Patrick Edouard used his position of power at Covenant Reform Church to coerce four women members into having sexual relations with him.
Edouard is charged with three counts of third-degree sexual abuse, and four counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor, therapist, school employee or clergy.
In a matter of fact tone, Edouard told jurors Monday that each of the four affairs he had was consensual.
Edouard’s wife Grace also took the stand as a witness for the defense. She testified that she had no idea her husband was having sexual relations with other women until he told her in December of 2010.
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