Recorded statements from one of the suspects in the First United Methodist Church daycare abuse case remains a topic of discussion, and whether it will be allowed to be used at trial or not will be taken up again Friday afternoon.
Attorneys for former Pastor Paige Williams and former Daycare Director Abby Leach appeared before Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins Monday afternoon, along with special prosecutor Blake Chambers. Chambers had informed the court that he intends to play a recording at trial of Williams allegedly admitting to mistakes being made in the reporting of the abuse of children, but the defense has argued it shouldn’t be admissible.
They contend that the audio recording is difficult to understand and the section in question lacks context—they argue there is no admission of anything. Judge Atkins deferred ruling on the evidence Monday, saying he will first listen to it himself and allow both sides time to file arguments.
Attorney David Bundrick represents Leach and filed several motions regarding witness testimony at the recent trial of co-defendants Allison Simpson and Nina Morgan. A jury convicted Simpson of 12 counts of first-degree criminal abuse and 12 counts of third-degree criminal child abuse at the end of a trial last month and convicted Morgan of one count of third-degree criminal child abuse.
Bundrick argued that asking parents to testify to how they feel about the acts against the children has no relevance to his client and shouldn’t be allowed at trial. Judge Atkins agreed to an extent, but says they will handle that on a witness-by-witness basis at trial.
Proceedings were continued to Friday at 2:30 p.m. Williams and Leach are set to go to trial in August.