WOODBRIDGE (CA)
Lodi News [Lodi, CA]
March 11, 2025
By Wes Bowers
A Woodbridge man has been ordered to pay one of the largest awards to a victim of sexual abuse issued by a San Joaquin County jury.
Pastor Frank James Palmer of Woodbridge Missionary Church was found liable in January of sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from molesting his niece over the course of eight years.
A jury returned a unanimous verdict of $47,000,700 to be paid to Darleen Patrick, according to Zalkin Law, LLP of San Diego, the firm that represented her.
The abuse began when Patrick was 5 years old. Palmer was a 21-year-old seminary student when he stopped abusing her, the law firm said.
“For the first time in the past 58 years, I was able to explain in detail what Frank James Palmer did to me and the damage it caused,” Patrick said in a statement prepared by the firm. “I was finally able to face my abuser and say what he did to me was wrong and to attempt to hold him accountable. I am so gratified the jury was so attentive and really seemed to understand how I was harmed for so many years.”
Zalkin law attorneys Daniel Varon and Tallis Radwick represented Patrick during the trial.
“This is an incredible result for a kind and wonderful woman who had her childhood ripped away from her by someone she trusted,” Varon said. “Every single juror clearly took exceptional care to evaluate every item of harm she suffered. Every dollar they awarded was a recognition of Darleen’s lasting harm.”
Palmer is still employed at Missionary Baptist Church, where he has served as head pastor since 2001.
Before coming to Woodbridge, Palmer was a pastor more than nine years in McFarland and more than 13 years in Eureka, according to News-Sentinel archives.
Palmer’s attorney Bill McLaughlin said he has field a motion to reduce the amount of the verdict, and if Patrick and her attorneys do not accept the motion, there could be another trial.
McLaughlin said another trial would allow him to present evidence against Patrick’s claims that were not allowed. It would also allow his client to testify about the evidence, he said.
“This was a very difficult case to summarize,” he said. “And it was an extremely unique kind of situation.”
A judge is expected to rule on the motion on April 8.
Zalkin Law, LLP represents childhood sexual abuse survivors and advocating for justice and accountability through civil litigation.