After a lengthy list of instructions regarding first degree, second degree and third degree criminal abuse, closing arguments began Friday morning in Christian County Circuit Court — regarding a pending verdict on former First United Methodist Church Pastor Paige Williams and Day Care Director Abby Leach.
In this moment, Special Prosecutor Blake Chambers is presenting — seeking full guilt be rendered from the jury.
Both charged with identical “breach of duties” involving the late 2018 and early 2019 care of eight children in a nursery and associated with convictions to Allison Simpson and Nina Morgan, defending attorneys David Bundrick and Bill Deatherage each harped on one specifically clear point:
That neither Leach, nor Williams, had “actual custody” of these children at the times of their abuse, and that “actual custody” is something they never possessed in their tenure at the church.
As Leach’s attorney, Bundrick illuminated several factors for his client:
— As a corporation, the defendants could’ve criminally prosecuted the church after the camera findings, and especially after Simpson and Morgan guilt.
— People are now saying things four years later that they didn’t originally say in 2018 and 2019, in a trial “full of people” looking to “cover their rear end.”
— A July 12, 2018 meeting between Leach and Williams reflected more of a transition in leadership, in which Leach sought guidance on how to deal with employees, “the handling of babies” and miscellaneous concerns. An August 14, 2018 daycare committee meeting didn’t have serious complaints from Audra Humphries White and Cynthia Loftus, and no serious memos came from a later “Safe Sanctuaries” training with Will Campbell.
— Under the authority and organization of the Methodist church, Leach nor Williams had the full, immediate authority to make imminent changes in staff and faculty.
— In the September 27, 2018 meeting with Campbell, Leach, White and Williams, the notes of Leach discuss “beating sounds” and “loud patting noises” are heard from the nursery, but not seen or observed. And at that point, anyone could’ve reported it to authorities, but didn’t.
— Another day care worker, Elizabeth Fletcher, testified she heard “noises through vents” during her time at FUMC. Bundrick noted she told Leach, but didn’t tell this to Hopkinsville Police Department investigator Mike Luckingham.
— A January 9, 2019 text exchange between Leach and former worker Courtney McCombs did not constitute crime, nor emergency, and that Leach was personally dealing with larger familial issues and the health of her husband.
— Bundrick also noted that it was “extremely unreasonable” for Leach, among her many duties, to review more than 1,300 hours of DVR camera footage, when the HPD could “easily” do it with a team of investigators.
— Bundrick said his client “could’ve done a better job” and “could’ve done things differently,” but it was “beyond ridiculous” one could believe Leach and Williams were supposed to be more effective and active than social services.
As Williams’ attorney, Deatherage brought equal contention of the Commonwealth’s efforts:
— He asked frequently: why are Williams and Leach the only ones charged with “breaching duties” around criminal abuse, when every single person had a mandatory obligation to report child abuse above and beyond according to state law?
— The Commonwealth hasn’t even proved that Williams was in the building at the time the crimes occurred, beyond a reasonable doubt.
— Campbell’s long list of timeline notes on his iPhone “coincidentally” and “conveniently” came after meetings with lawyers and HPD investigation, much like some of the testimony that has arrived in this case four years after the fact.
— Much like he’s done all week, Deatherage hammered the fact that the defendants and their families remain locked into a civil lawsuit with local, regional and state authority of the Methodist church, and that Williams, nor Leach, ever had legitimate intentional, wanton and/or reckless efforts in this matter.
— Deatherage emotionally closed, telling jurors that Williams’ “freedom and reputation” was in their hands, and that he had held her and shared tears with her in these last four years.
At one point, special judge Brian Wiggins had to issue to the court the ceasing of laughter and lack of decorum, due to the nature and seriousness of the crimes allegedly committed.
