Defense requests dismissal of charges in Jehovah’s Witnesses sexual abuse case

The attorney for a Lower Burrell man charged Thursday as part of a grand jury investigation into allegations of widespread sexual abuse of children within the Jehovah’s Witness community argued that the case should be dismissed for lack of evidence.

Defense attorney Dan Joseph said the alleged victim’s testimony at a preliminary hearing earlier this year was too vague and did not include specific allegations or the dates and locations of the alleged assaults.

“This is a due process argument. This caprice makes it impossible to defend this case. What we’re left with is a woman who said this thing happened after counseling 33 years ago,” Joseph argued in defense of Ronald W. Mangone. “She can’t say anything specifically.”

Mangone, 70, was charged earlier this year with three counts of felony aggravated assault, three misdemeanors, indecent assault, endangering the welfare of children and misdemeanor corruption of minors in connection with allegations made by the now 38-year-old. Woman.

She alleges that she was the victim of repeated sexual assaults by Mangone in 1991, when she was between the ages of 5 and 8. His allegations were included in the statewide grand jury investigation.

According to allegations made in the criminal complaint filed by the State Attorney’s Office, Mangone was a member of the New Kensington Jehovah’s Witnesses congregation and later the West End French congregation.

Officials maintained that Jehovah’s Witness elders viewed child sexual abuse as a sin rather than a crime and did not report the allegations to law enforcement. Church officials have previously denied these allegations and maintained that the church’s internal policies allow members to report sexual assault.

Prosecutors said earlier this year that Mangone was among 16 suspects identified by a grand jury and charged with rape and sexual assault.

Joseph argued that Mangone continued to deny the allegations and that the accuser failed to specify the specific dates and locations where the alleged assaults occurred in her preliminary hearing testimony and then waited years to disclose the sexual abuse allegations.

Deputy Attorney General Alicia Werner said the accuser provided more specific details in his grand jury testimony and statements to investigators, including general descriptions of sexual abuse he said was inflicted on him by Mangone. Werner said his disclosure to law enforcement was a result of an investigation initiated by the attorney general’s office.

“The victim stated this happened 20 or more times. This started as our office’s grand jury investigation. We found him and realized the charges were still within the statute of limitations,” Werner argued.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears did not rule Thursday. He said he would review preliminary hearing transcripts and other evidence in the case and ordered attorneys to submit written legal arguments.

Mangone will be released on $100,000 bail.