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Summarized by Kent Larsen
ex-LDS high priest sentenced in molestation
Houston TX Chronicle 19Jul00 D2
DALLAS, TEXAS -- Former LDS Church member Gene A. Guinn, 68, was
convicted Wednesday of indecency with a child and sentenced to 68
years in prison. Since Guinn will not be eligible for parole until
half his sentence has been served, the sentence is effectively for
the rest of his life. Guinn was excommunicated from the LDS Church
because of the offense.
The evidence presented at the trial indicated that Guinn molested a
10-year-old girl from the family of fellow LDS Church members in
August 1994. The girl testified during the trial that Guinn only
stopped molesting her when her brother entered the room. She said she
didn't tell anyone about the abuse. "I didn't say anything because I
didn't think anyone would believe me," she said. "I was 10, and he
was a friend of my mom's." Her brother testified that his mother told
him not to call the police.
According to testimony, the family initially trusted local Church
leaders to handle the case, but eventually decided to go to the
police after Guinn continued to have contact with children, in spite
of counseling from Church leaders. During the sentencing portion of
the trial, another 5 women testified that Guinn had molested them
also.
According to the Associated Press, the case also involved a dispute
between prosecutors and the Church over records of the disciplinary
court that excommunicated Guinn. The Church successfully maintained
that the disciplinary records were confidential under the principal
of priest-penitent privilege and kept the records out of the trial.
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