By Benham J. Sims, III of Benham J. Sims, III Attorney at Law on Thursday, July 11, 2013.Convicted sex offender faces judge on new sex abuse, sodomy charges
Convicted sex offender faces judge on new sex abuse, sodomy charges
https://www.whas11.com/news/local/Convicted-sex-offender-faces-judge-on-new-sex-abuse-sodomy-charges–214787511.html https://www.wave3.com/story/22799441/wheelchair-bound-rape-victims-call-for-help-finally-heard https://www.wdrb.com/story/22797589/attorney-tells-story-behind-caregiver-sexual-abuse-case
MOST HORRIFIC CASE I HAVE EVER HEARD- AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF IT!
Late last week, I was asked to cover a case for attorney Steve Berry in my office. I was told to meet a prosecuting witness in courtroom 103 regarding her husband’s case and secure a new court date. Mr. Berry advised me that the prosecuting witness was
Late last week, I was asked to cover a case for attorney Steve Berry in my office. I was told to meet a prosecuting witness in courtroom 103 regarding her husband’s case and secure a new court date. Mr. Berry advised me that the prosecuting witness was wheel chair bound, suffered from a brain tumor, and was terminally ill. I went inside courtroom 103 and introduced myself to this profoundly handicapped woman and explained I would be covering the case for Steve. She was present with a caretaker and she whispered and asked to speak with me privately. I wheeled her outside the courtroom. She proceeded to tell me that the caregiver had repeatedly sexually assaulted her and that she was afraid of him. I was understandably taken aback by this statement and because of the circumstances, tone of the statement, and desperation of the handicapped woman, I knew I needed to advise the prosecutor to alert the police and Adult Protective Services. Unfortunately, no prosecutor, officer, or court personnel were to be found outside courtroom 103. I did not think it was appropriate to leave her by herself after this revelation and her close proximity to the caregiver. Panic was setting in just as Deputy Darlene Crawford walked through the outside entrance of courtrooms 102-103. I advised Deputy Crawford of the situation and she assured me that she would stay with the
Unfortunately, no prosecutor, officer, or court personnel were to be found outside courtroom 103. I did not think it was appropriate to leave her by herself after this revelation and her close proximity to the caregiver. Panic was setting in just as Deputy Darlene Crawford walked through the outside entrance of courtrooms 102-103. I advised Deputy Crawford of the situation and she assured me that she would stay with the wheelchair bound woman until I returned with a prosecutor. After talking to Assistant Jefferson County Attorney Nathan Beatty and being assured that he would immediately meet with me and the victim, I returned to Deputy Crawford and the prosecuting witness. Upon my return and just outside courtroom 103, Deputy Crawford was ordering the caregiver to return back to courtroom. Apparently, as Deputy Crawford was talking to the victim, the caregiver attempted to leave. Unbeknownst to us, the caregiver, Jonathon Foster, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failing to register as a sex offender. Without Deputy Crawford’s intervention, the alleged abuser may still be at large. This was an incredibly horrific situation that visibly shocked both the prosecutor Beatty and myself. Deputy Crawford took the time to listen to me and the victim. Mr. Beatty and the victim advocate listened and immediately acted and contacted both APS and the sex crimes unit. The victim later stated that she had made a report earlier to the police and APS and no one took the time to run a background check on the caregiver. All of
Unbeknownst to us, the caregiver, Jonathon Foster, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failing to register as a sex offender. Without Deputy Crawford’s intervention, the alleged abuser may still be at large. This was an incredibly horrific situation that visibly shocked both the prosecutor Beatty and myself. Deputy Crawford took the time to listen to me and the victim. Mr. Beatty and the victim advocate listened and immediately acted and contacted both APS and the sex crimes unit. The victim later stated that she had made a report earlier to the police and APS and no one took the time to run a background check on the caregiver. All of us-the prosecutor, sheriffs, victim advocate where stunned if not in tears. This poor woman told me in front of the victim advocate and Mr. Beatty that I was the only person who listened to her. I talked to Mr. Beatty as we were both choking back tears that this was a lesson for both of us…me as an older lawyer and he as a new lawyer….to stop and listen. I wonder if I had not had an older Down Syndrome brother would I have stopped and listened to what this profoundly handicapped woman was saying? Had Deputy Crawford not talked to the woman would she have been aware that the perpetrator was leaving? Would he have escaped to torment or done worse to this poor woman? What if Mr. Beatty and the victim advocate not been available or appreciated the seriousness of what I was telling them? I may never do anything else in my career but last week I know that Mr. Beatty, Deputy Crawford, and I saved this poor woman. I pray that I will always remember this lesson and stop and listen.Tags: Benham Sims, Criminal Defense Attorney, Domestic Violence, Louisville Attorney, Sexual AssaultTweetNo CommentsLeave a comment Comment Information Name Please enter your name. E-mail Address Please enter a valid e-mail address. Website Comment
Convicted sex offender faces judge on new sex abuse, sodomy chargeshttps://www.whas11.com/news/local/Convicted-sex-offender-faces-judge-on-new-sex-abuse-sodomy-charges–214787511.html https://www.wave3.com/story/22799441/wheelchair-bound-rape-victims-call-for-help-finally-heard https://www.wdrb.com/story/22797589/attorney-tells-story-behind-caregiver-sexual-abuse-case MOST HORRIFIC CASE I HAVE EVER HEARD- AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF IT! Late last week, I was asked to cover a case for attorney Steve Berry in my office. I was told to meet a prosecuting witness in courtroom 103 regarding her husband’s case and secure a new court date. Mr. Berry advised me that the prosecuting witness was wheel chair bound, suffered from a brain tumor, and was terminally ill. I went inside courtroom 103 and introduced myself to this profoundly handicapped woman and explained I would be covering the case for Steve. She was present with a caretaker and she whispered and asked to speak with me privately. I wheeled her outside the courtroom. She proceeded to tell me that the caregiver had repeatedly sexually assaulted her and that she was afraid of him. I was understandably taken aback by this statement and because of the circumstances, tone of the statement, and desperation of the handicapped woman, I knew I needed to advise the prosecutor to alert the police and Adult Protective Services. Unfortunately, no prosecutor, officer, or court personnel were to be found outside courtroom 103. I did not think it was appropriate to leave her by herself after this revelation and her close proximity to the caregiver. Panic was setting in just as Deputy Darlene Crawford walked through the outside entrance of courtrooms 102-103. I advised Deputy Crawford of the situation and she assured me that she would stay with the wheelchair bound woman until I returned with a prosecutor. After talking to Assistant Jefferson County Attorney Nathan Beatty and being assured that he would immediately meet with me and the victim, I returned to Deputy Crawford and the prosecuting witness. Upon my return and just outside courtroom 103, Deputy Crawford was ordering the caregiver to return back to courtroom. Apparently, as Deputy Crawford was talking to the victim, the caregiver attempted to leave. Unbeknownst to us, the caregiver, Jonathon Foster, had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for failing to register as a sex offender. Without Deputy Crawford’s intervention, the alleged abuser may still be at large. This was an incredibly horrific situation that visibly shocked both the prosecutor Beatty and myself. Deputy Crawford took the time to listen to me and the victim. Mr. Beatty and the victim advocate listened and immediately acted and contacted both APS and the sex crimes unit. The victim later stated that she had made a report earlier to the police and APS and no one took the time to run a background check on the caregiver. All of us-the prosecutor, sheriffs, victim advocate where stunned if not in tears. This poor woman told me in front of the victim advocate and Mr. Beatty that I was the only person who listened to her. I talked to Mr. Beatty as we were both choking back tears that this was a lesson for both of us…me as an older lawyer and he as a new lawyer….to stop and listen.
I wonder if I had not had an older Down Syndrome brother would I have stopped and listened to what this profoundly handicapped woman was saying? Had Deputy Crawford not talked to the woman would she have been aware that the perpetrator was leaving? Would he have escaped to torment or done worse to this poor woman? What if Mr. Beatty and the victim advocate not been available or appreciated the seriousness of what I was telling them? I may never do anything else in my career but last week I know that Mr. Beatty, Deputy Crawford, and I saved this poor woman. I pray that I will always remember this lesson and stop and listen.