Ex-minister Robert Morris of Southlake rounds up his first court appearance on Friday, implicated in allegations of child sex crimes.
Rewritten Article:
Meet Robert Morris, a controversial figure who's stepping into the hot seat once again. The disgraced former pastor of Gateway Church, based in Southlake, Texas, is set to face justice in Oklahoma on Friday at 10 a.m., accused of lewd or indecent acts with a child dating as far back as the 1980s[1]. Here's a lowdown on this volatile situation and what this initial hearing could signal for Morris.
The Scandalous Allegations
Almost a year ago, Cindy Clemishire, a courageous woman, leveled accusations against Morris. She claimed he abused her when she was just 12 years old in 1982, and the abuse persisted for over four years while she was residing in Oklahoma[1].
Morris, now 63, made a shocking revelation last June, admitting to "sexual inappropriate behavior" with a child in a statement to The Christian Post[3]. He confessed to instances of kissing and petting, but not intercourse, which occurred multiple times over a few years. Despite the shocking disclosure, Morris has been silent since, refusing to comment on the claims made against him.
The Legal Battles
In March, a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma City indicted Morris on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child[1]. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond expressed zero tolerance for those who prey on minors, particularly when the perpetrator is a figure of authority like Morris[1].
Morris surrendered to authorities in Osage County shortly after the indictment. An Osage County judge set a $50,000 bond and ordered him to hand over his passport. Interestingly, court records indicate that Morris spent just 14 minutes behind bars before being released on bond, according to CBS News[1]. The statute of limitations doesn't apply in this case because Morris wasn't a resident of Oklahoma at any time[2].
What's Next for Morris?
On Friday, Morris' pre-preliminary hearing offers a valuable opportunity for his defense attorney, the prosecutor, and the judge to engage in discussions. His legal team may try to negotiate a plea deal, but if none is offered or he refuses it, a preliminary hearing will be scheduled[2]. Court records indicate that Morris has pleaded not guilty[2]. If convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each charge[2].
Warning: The subject matter of this article includes sensitive and potentially distressing content related to child sexual abuse. This article aims to report the facts accurately and responsibly.
Penelope Rivera covers breaking news for KERA. Got a tip? Send an email to [email protected].
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Breaking news in the general-news sphere pertains to the impending hearing of Robert Morris, a former pastor embroiled in crime-and-justice allegations, who will face charges of lewd or indecent acts with a child in Oklahoma. The initial hearing could signal Morris' defense strategies, as his legal team may negotiate a plea deal to avoid a preliminary hearing.
