The courtroom heard the closing statements today before the jury went into deliberations. During the closing statements, the defense told the courtroom, “There is no greater crime on earth than to convict an innocent man.”
On the other hand, the prosecution said, “A person who knows he should never be alone with a child has him alone in a place where he has control.”
The jury had three options to consider, including indecency with a child, assault or not guilty. They came back with the not guilty verdict in just over an hour.
Wafula’s attorney, Dan Hurley, issued a written statement about the verdict:
We’re so thankful that the jury in this case had the courage to follow the law and render the verdict that justice required. On behalf of Peter Wafula and his supporters, we express our extreme gratitude for the jury’s service. As a black African accused in far West Texas of a horrible crime he did not commit, Peter Wafula will never forget this day.
Dan Hurley
Wafula served in Hereford, Friona and Bovina before he was removed form the ministry in 2018.