Bent 'scripts
Two frequent contributors to the comments sections of this blog have teamed-up to post written transcripts of the Wayne Bent trial on the Internet.
Sam Redman and Jan Brennan are publishing the transcripts at Redman’s Strong City “mirror site“.
According to Redman’s mirror site, the names of the victims will be redacted from its published transcripts.
Redman is not simply an observer of the Bent case. He appeared on the prosecution’s witness list as a computer forensic expert. He did not testify, however.
According to the mirror site, Brennan is a true crime author and a romance novel book reviewer.
On December 15, 2008, a jury in Taos, New Mexico found Bent guilty of one count of second-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Fifteen days later, the leader of the Lord Our Righteousness Church was sent to prison for ten years. He’d received an 18-year sentence with 8 of those years suspended.
As of this writing, the transcripts provided Online include preliminary motion discussion, the prosecution’s opening statements, defense attorney Sarah Montoya’s opening statement, Montoya’s direct questioning of Wayne Bent and closing remarks from the prosecution and defense. The prosecution’s rebuttal to Montoya’s close is also provided.
Expect more to come.
“We will be adding daily and the plan (lord willin’ and the creeks don’t rise) is to do every last word in the trial from gavel to gavel (including Wayne’s last comments, as he is taken from the courtroom in cuffs). Everyday, there will be more,” Redman wrote to Beyond90Seconds.com in an e-mail received today.
On January 27, 2009, Beyond90Seconds.com addressed its concern about posting the trial “transcripts”. After ordering the transcripts from New Mexico’s Eighth Judicial District, they arrived as audio files on seven CDs.
Reached by telephone, Union County Court Deputy Clerk Karen Vieites explained that the court usually preserves transcripts as audio—not text—files.
While this blog could have posted those audio files, the decision was made not to do so because the names of the victims could be heard throughout the audio recordings.
The considered tasks of removing the victims’ names from seven days of court audio or transcribing the audio and redacting those names would be too time consuming for this blogger.
For reasons of time and sensitivity to the victims, Beyond90Seconds.com decided not to post the transcripts here in any form.
***
BACK AT THE RANCH…
Wayne Bent’s son, Jeff, has published a new post at strongcity.info. Find out what has Bent & “Esther” drawing a line in the sand, here.
Sorry – It’s been a long day and I’m coming down with the flu. I’m froggy…
I meant to say……if having a big fat ego is a mental illness, that HE HAS a mental illness.
: )
Which side did Allaso help?
Allaso’s testimony really was a bit strange. I suppose that Montoya was trying to show that males with their clothes on could have these healing experiences with Michael too. Thus she jumped right into Allaso’s very bizarre depressed time period, how Michael suddenly appeared at his home, and had him lie down on the floor clothed and with Michael’s hands placed on his chest they had this very meaningful exchange of love. It was more sad than anything as Allaso told him he was his only friend in the world. Does not say much for all those supposedly other caring people on the land, does it? In the final moments of this healing they spiritually kissed on the mouth and afterwards Allaso was no longer depressed and stopped fasting.
I believe Emilio Chavez was able to totally erase any value of this testimony however by asking one simple question:
And of course Allaso had to say yes!
This man obviously has very deep feelings of love for Michael. His testimony was so strong for Michael, for me it really showed how powerfully these people are controlled and influenced by Michael and that of course was the huge mistake that Montoya kept trying to prove was not true.
Her constantly bringing in the so called “new government,” and how it was really the decision making body in no way lessens the spiritual importance of Michael in these people’s lives. The new government was just a way to help with the mundane parts of their life, not the truly significant elements such as prophecies and endlife predictions. So by trying to make it about religion and showing time and time again how the religious leader of the land was Michael it would seem she lost with her own witnesses over and over again.
I would be curious how the juror felt about the healing process between Allaso and Michael and the other jurors too.
Jan
I always wondered why Wayne did not heal the girls in the same manner. I also questioned why when he knew LS was outside and invited her in why could he not have slipped a pair of pants on before she came in. There were alot of them kind of questions that ran in my head. I did ask the Judge alot of questions on paper and some he asked and some not. I think some of or most of the Juror wondered them same things.
We are pleased to announce the last testimony transcript!
We just posted the transcript for the direct (and cross and re-direct) of Gabriel Travesser. This man is a long time member (follower), who was brought on to try to establish how this group was just so very normal. While he certainly swore that Wayne wasn’t really the leader and that they all got telepathic messages from God and that there was nothing really special about Wayne (or Michael)… it just didn’t ring true (to me). Really, the defense, re-raising all of these various prosecution points, just called new attention to them and brought them into focus. I think that the defense would have been better off ignoring some of these troubling issues, rather than bring them back to the jury’s awareness (especially when the witness sounds like he is working hard to say whatever the defense attorney wants to hear). He reminded me of a lot of politicians and used car salesmen I have heard (the kind where you ask a question and the answer is always in their favor). I am anxious to hear other opinions.
This is the new transcript:
Defense direct of Gabriel Travesser (plus cross, et al).
Scroll to the first post here (at the top) of Beyond90seconds.com to see how to access the mirror site trial menu page.
This transcript posting is a milestone. Now we have completed all the trial testimony transcripts. Both the prosecution’s case and the defense witnesses are all there to study (plus all the summations).
Wait. Wait. There’s more!
But, you might want to wait (before reaching your “mock” verdict), until you read the judge’s instructions to the jury (that’s coming soon). We will also be doing the transcript of the verdict being read and finally, the sentencing session.
—- Sam
Thanks Sam and Jan for all your hard work. I really wanted to be at the hearings with the rest of my friends but that week was finals week for me.
I’ve had lots of comments but have just kept quiet. Everyone here has done really well figuring it all out for themselves without me saying anything.
It was interesting to me how Sarah kept talking about this democratic form of new government in Strong City. The only governing body on that committee was Wayne Bent. No one else made any decisions there. They might have suggested things, but all final decisions came from Wayne… as well as prophecies, naked girls, etc.
I haven’t listened to Dale’s (Gabriel) testimony yet, but I heard a little about it at the time from friends. How they can twist things around (example being Wayne isn’t the leader, they all are) and not see it is beyond me.
Thanks for the “read” everyone. It’s given me quite a few laughs which is good considering there have been quite a few tears too.
Noted Psychologist, B.F. Skinner (a leader in Behavioral Psychology or Behaviorism) advocated mass conditioning as a means of social control in one of his most important works “Beyond Freedom and Dignity” (1971). In it he quoted from “Emile” (1762) by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
“Let [the child] believe that he is always in control, though it is always you [the teacher] who really controls. There is no subjugation so perfect as that which keeps the appearance of freedom, for in that way one captures volition itself. The poor baby, knowing nothing, able to do nothing, having learned nothing, is he not at your mercy? Can you not arrange everything in the world that surrounds him? Can you not influence him as you wish? His work, his play, his pleasures, his pains, are not all these in your hands and without his knowing? Doubtless he ought to do only what he wants; but he ought to want to do only what you want him to do; he ought not to take a step which you have not foreseen; he ought not to open his mouth without your knowing what he will say.”
Chilling isn’t it?
Hi Julie —
I noted with interest your observations about the “New Government” and the testimony from Dale Brown (Gabriel) concerning that, where he said that it was done without Wayne being involved. I am amazed at how these defense witnesses literally committed perjury, (including their “experts,” who could not have spent ten minutes studying this situation without knowing the real story). Consider “Gabriel’s” testimony compared with what was written by “Liberty,” one of the seven “messengers,” about forming the “New Government.”(Her name history was Misty/Believing Child/Tema/Liberty.)
Liberty wrote:
Individually, they went to Wayne Bent to talk about what they had in mind (their desires) about forming this “new government.” Why would they go to him? It was because he ran the place (it’s what you do with your boss).
Now consider that in relation to this sworn testimony on the stand:
That was obviously all a lie. Wayne was totally in charge. They so very much needed Wayne to tell them “what to do,” that they didn’t even approach him in a meeting about the “New Government” with a common voice, but instead each went to him in Misty/Tema/Liberty’s words, “individually” to let him know what their “desires.”
There are many other references in the archival documents (and, of course, Julie was there too, so her statement is proof enough), which indicate that they didn’t make a move without Bent’s approval. The whole place was (is) centered around Wayne and his thoughts, his moods and his attention. Getting Wayne’s approval and acceptance was (is) the be all and end all of their existence. It was strange that they based their defense on trying to prove several lies (that the jury saw right through)as true, which they could have just stipulated (conceded to) and focused on the narrow area of whether the admitted touching was criminal. The truth might have set him free.
— Sam
Julie, it is wonderful to see you post here and you are truly welcome regarding the transcripts.
It is an honor for me to be able to help Sam do these, as he has already offered so much with his amazing Mirror Site. As you have too Julie, with all of your history and incite that you have been able to share with everyone on Prudence site and others. It really is quite a story, and it seems to continue.
I cannot imagine how it must be to hear at the trial how this group wanted to portray their perfect little, what did Gabriel call it, a “co-op!” Using that word it sounds pretty innocent doesn’t it? I am amazed really that some of this very biased testimony got in and very little of the truth of what Strong City really is like was presented by the State. Again, another time I scratch my head on how fortunate the verdict was guilty, because the State left so much out as who really controlled life their, and Wayne very clearly was the ultimate leader of everyone and everything.
I am always left wondering why Montoya tried so very hard to not admit to that, because when you try so hard and fail at a lie, then intelligent people have to wonder, what else are you lying about? Thank goodness the jury was a group of twelve very intelligent people.
Again glad you posted Julie, and if you have time or have any other thoughts please return because I am sure I am not alone in appreciating your contributions here.
Jan
Jan…Who is Julie? and where can I read her postings and story? I think she would have alot of interesting stories to tell. I would really like to hear what she has to say.
Just an FYI none of the jurors took anything Gabriel said serious. He was so full of it, we all caught on to him real quick.
Juror – Julie was a member of Strong City and thankfully was able to leave. I am not sure where all she has posted but she did quite a bit of posting at Prudence Welch’s site:
travesser.info/site/forum/index.php
If you have not been to that site yet there is a wealth of interesting posts there from Julie and Prudence herself. It is quite a remarkable message board.
I am glad to hear how you all reacted to Gabriel and you described him perfectly, he was so full of it!
Jan
We are pleased to announce another transcript!
We just posted the transcript for Judge Baca’s instructions to the jury. This now completes the trial (although we will also be providing transcripts for the verdict reading and for the sentencing session). Now, everyone of the readers of these transcripts has every bit of information which you need to pose yourself as a juror and consider this case as they did. I actually have now gone though and read it all from the beginning. Fortunately, I read it before (but, out of sequence) and also I am a fast reader. It gave me a new perspective to read it in order. I am anxious to hear feedback from others on their reactions.
One other aspect of interest about these jury instructions is that the wording (if in error) can be grounds for an appeal to have a verdict set aside or to get a new trial. That’s why the defense was making her objections. But even if objections weren’t raised on particular parts of the instructions, the appeals court could say that they were not fair to the defendant and didn’t respond to the evidence in the case.
But, this is what the jury heard, so see if you think they made the right choice, following those instructions and considering all the testimony.
This is the new transcript:
Judge Baca’s instructions to the jury
Scroll to the first post here (at the top) of Beyond90seconds.com to see how to access the mirror site trial menu page.
We now only lack the transcripts for the “reading of verdict” and finally, the “sentencing session.”
—- Sam
I have done as Sam did and reread the whole trial from beginning to end. Although it did take me awhile, it was worth it to gain the best perspective.
However it did not change any opinions I had before. Wayne Bent is guilty of all 4 charges in my opinion not just 3.
Montoya’s witnesses really did much more to help the State’s case than they added or helped anything for the defense. Some of her witnesses were just awful.
And while I basically was disappointed too in how little the prosecution actually brought into this case, at least they got the right verdict. Thank goodness for Chavez.
I look forward to the rest of the transcripts, especially the Sentencing statements.
Keep wondering too how the appeal is coming along. I saw nothing that would make me think that will be successful though. Did anybody else?
Yes, I think (after on my complete re-read in sequence), based on how the case was presented, the credibility of the witnesses, the jury instructions and the closing summations… that the jury got it right.
It really was quite a simple decision. Wayne was certainly the person in authority to those two victims (and that’s all that mattered). The devotion expressed by both of the victims (saying and implying that he was “God” to them) removes any doubt there. Then Wayne’s own testimony (and demonstration) of where he placed his hand on their chests, in relation to how the prosecution characterized what was an intimate area (the fleshy part of the breast,) demanded a guilty verdict all four counts. Thinking of myself as a juror and considering whether I would want anyone to be able touch, without permission, an exposed part of a woman’s breast, when she was wearing a low-cut dress, I had to agree with the prosecution. That area would be considered “intimate,” based on my own moral standards. The expert witnesses on both sides (and the character witnesses for the defense) were irrelevant. Wayne’s own testimony did him in… he should have never testified.
But, what is interesting about an appeal is that what you see there on those transcripts is totally all that the appeals judges will consider (no new evidence, no new witnesses). I saw many areas which could be grounds for appeal. One example; the interpretation by the prosecution about what part is to be considered intimate. That could be the critical distinction. The defense defined “intimate” as the nipple area (what would be covered by a bikini top). But, social mores and community standards (which the jury was able to utilize in that decision) may keep that from being a valid argument for appeal. The “contributing to the delinquency” verdicts seem to have to best chance to be aside, simply based on how the appeals court defines it. The victims didn’t commit any delinquent act (laying naked doesn’t seem to be a crime). The only delinquency was on the part of the offender, not the victims. Setting those aside might certainly reduce his sentence by several years (although the judge did trim that much and more from his sentence, so it might be “a wash”). But, appeals are strange and unpredictable. Often, small peculiarities and irregularities (not immediately obvious), such as possible unfairness in the jury instructions, can be interpreted as sufficient to have verdicts overturned.
— Sam
Sam Redman has written an excellent post on his blogspot regarding the Injustice of Wayne Bent’s sentence. Here is the link:
http:// samredman.wordpress.com/
I know that many and most of you will not agree with what he has written. I share Sam’s concern about the direction our society is headed with Revenge not Rehabilitation today in sentencing. I see it every day in the headlines, right from the fact that teens under the age of 18 are now being tried as adults, and crimes that should perhaps be a sentence of only a few years or maybe probation are getting years and years of jail time. I even stated earlier in a post that I now see police officers sitting and involving themselves in local schools on a daily basis instead of using traditional guidance counselors to get the offenders back on the right tract. This is a dangerous trend and one I find grave concern over.
I do not and never felt that Wayne Bent was a sex offender criminal in the truest sense of what the Court defines. What he did was technically wrong in the eyes of the law but perhaps the law needs better clarification involving what is intimate regarding a woman’s breast. Most of the people that are so quick to want to put Wayne away for the maximum amount of years I believe are finding him guilty on his religious beliefs, the consummating with the Seven Virgins, and maybe even for breaking up so many families with his strange ideas of marriage. But that is not what the trail was about. Those are all clearly different issues and actually no one’s business other than those that live on Strong City.
So, I too again hope that an appeal is in process and hope that the case is readdressed in some fashion. Wayne Bent has never ever posed any threat to anyone outside the gates of Strong City. Those people love and revere him and there are no longer any underage teens there. A house arrest or probation would be a much fairer sentence I would think. Perhaps a higher Court will look at this case and not punish a man for his religious beliefs that we in society as a whole do find bizarre and strange, but they are still his beliefs and he has the right to have them.
Jan
Jan
The law is the law and how the jury saw it, it was wrong and against the law. We never knew anything about WB just what he did to those girls. We knew nothing about the marriages or who he consummated with. We never looked at religion. So if WB gets a house arrest what kind of signal is it putting out to others? Its ok to be with an underage child as log as religion is involved or that was the beliefs? What about the lies they all told that he was not a leader?
Juror,
First of all let me be clear, I do think you all reached the correct verdict. Obviously I have listened to each and every word that has been said at the trial and I believe you all got it exactly right, based on the laws of New Mexico. So I have no problem at all with your sincere efforts. You all were amazing, especially based on a poor effort by Mr. Benevidez, and the wrong direction taken as a defense by Ms. Montoya.
My problem really is with the sentence. I have repeatedly said I believe that Wayne needs to be checked out by the best Psychiatrist in the State of New Mexico as he still seems to be saying things from prison that would make me question that he has a true grip on reality.
But beyond that I just believe that a sentence of ten years is excessive, based on his age and what he did. I honestly think he did very little with these two under age girls. Reading more and more about what has been posted right after this happened I just think it was more or less a religious spiritual healing.
By the time this happened I think Wayne was quite content with the other virgins and how everything had worked out for him and he truly did not need the complication of these two younger girls. But it was on their heart to be spiritually healed in this manner so carefully he did as they asked. I understand that was wrong. But seriously is that act worth a ten year sentence? To me that is way too much.
I do not think having a house arrest, following a three year sentence would send a poor message to anyone. The way I see it the excessive sentences that are given daily all over, by our country’s Justice System are doing nothing to curtail crime at all. What we need is a very good system of Rehabilitation implemented and that just does not appear to be happening.
And lastly, I do understand that he is their spiritual leader, no matter how they tried to say otherwise at the trial. That was a total misrepresentation of who and what Wayne is to them. It did no good at all. You were smart enough to know that when someone is known as Michael or the Messiah to his people that means something of high esteem and greatness.
But this is the religion of these people. They should be free to do whatever they want. That is known as religious freedom and our country was founded on just that very freedom. No one is affected by the LOR other than the people that are there. If Wayne wants 7 or 10 wives, as long as they are all of age, I honestly believe that is his business and not mine to say otherwise.
Jan
I guess a good Dr would do him good but then again he is good with the words. If all the money that was spent for the trial turned over to a good Dr, but I honestly dont think it would have made a difference as he does not feel he has done anything wrong “can’t help someone that doesnt want to help themself”
Who knows how far he would have gone with the 2 girls before he was stopped. Why didnt he put a pair of pants on if he knew the girls were there? I sure wouldnt let someone come into my house if I was not dressed and im sure most would agree with me on that. He knew it was wrong he said it himself.
If it was religious maybe he should be in a different state possibly a state where they would accept that behavior. We were not to look at religion in this so why bring religion up?
And for you to say that no one was affected by this. That is wrong!! Did you see the face of AS? What about the parents? and to lose thier children and break up there family? and there aunts, uncles,and grandparents? What will all this do to LS years down the road? What has it done to AS?
OK I will agree with you maybe 10 yrs was a bit much but how much of that 10 yrs will he really spend. I think Sam had a good idea for him to maybe teach other prisoners, he is no dummy infact I think he is pretty intellegent.
You make some excellent points. And that is what I believe these boards and blogs can be very useful for, allowing our minds to think creatively and discuss objectively.
I think the only real point that we might disagree on is the length of the sentence. For me ten years seems a bit long compared to what others might be getting for a similar first time offense. And I do believe with his remote location, he could be easily monitored and not able to do this again. Just restricting the ages of the residents would do that.
Now you do realize that I did not see the face of A.S. I only listed to her and Healed. It was difficult to tell who was affected and by what only hearing their voices. I do know how badly Healed wants to return and I do understand that she thinks she is in love with Michael. Yes both girls were affected. But, I also believe the parents bare a greater burden of the responsibility of what happened with their daughters than Michael. They seem like dear people, yes, but still confused and sending mixed signals to these girls.
Your other points are all good. There are many things that Michael should have done differently. I find all of his actions despicable, and in my book not true acts of a religious leader at all. But as I said, at this point for me it is just a question of how long a sixty-seven year old, first offender should be locked up,and I wonder if ten years is not extreme? As for his quirky religion, again not my place to judge, because I adamantly support “freedom of religion.”
I have a question for those that have legal knowledge. Is part of his being convicted and/or a registered sex offender that he’s not supposed to have contact with the under aged victims? If so, couldn’t his recordings being published online be a form of contact? Is that legal? He’s not talking to them directly but the way he speaks is influential and could be further damaging/influencing when he continues to say he didn’t do anything wrong.
I am sure that if his communications were of a sexual nature, making internet “broadcasts” would be forbidden (but, I don’t think they have been). But, any media broadcast might need to have the approval of prison officials (which he may have received. We don’t know). If someone wanted to pursue such a complaint or ask questions about the policy, there might be a mechanism to do so by calling the warden’s office.
However, you have to admit, they have been rather innovative. Earlier (according to news reports and one of his postings), he attempted to negotiate a television interview, but so far, that has not been approved. So they came up with this unique way of recording his telephone calls and then publishing those on the web (along with a transcript). It was very clever, but it may cross the boundaries regarding what is permissible regarding communications from prison (I’m not sure). But, even considering all of that, I’m relatively certain that if no one reports it, it won’t arouse any attention and he will be able to continue. I look forward to more of them.
— Sam
Jan: “You make some excellent points. And that is what I believe these boards and blogs can be very useful for, allowing our minds to think creatively and discuss objectively”.
In order for there to be true objectivity there has to be a willingness to except the facts of the case. Now you can say that people like Julie, as former members, are unworthy of consideration in coming to a “fair” conclusion in this case. But you will never know the reality of the situation if you are only willing to take the information that the Traveesers spoon feed you. There are many lies, (oh! excuse me, maybe I should have said untruths, there, now we can all feel a little better about ourselves) that people like Julie know about. Great love, equality, compassion, and all the rest of the noble qualities that LORites claim to possess, only exist so long as it fits their scheme of things. Just get out of step with these people and see what happens! So I vote for people like Julie to please contribute and help people to really understand this. This is not something to be wrong about. Why should this convicted child molester be kept from his adoring flock? Let me tell you a sick story.
There was a 12ish young fella that was attending spiritual guidance sessions. One evening he was convicted that a spiritual healing was needed for his soul as he was sure that god did not accept him. So he went to the place where he thought he could receive that healing, entered through the curtain, knelt down, and settled into an intense wait. Eventually the little side door opened. A soft-spoken, trustworthy voice broke the silence, saying, yes my son? The boy, trembling and fighting every urge to get up and run away, stayed, frozen in that too small space, because he thought his very existence hung in the balance. Finally he said with a quivering voice; Father forgive me for I have sinned. What is it my child, replied the dependable voice on the other side of the wall? The boy stammering and stuttering, blurted out in utter humiliation that he had been stimulating himself. And then his innocent world began to crumble all to hell, for you see, the authoritative guide said; show me so I can be sure what you are doing is sinful. It has been many years and at least 150 souls later, and the god-man has since passed, awaiting the great judgment. Many people thought he deserved leniency. Life has not been easy for the mistake prone youngsters, many of whom were never able to find themselves.
Wayne’s latest “Why So Long” seems like his prison are starting to get to him. And no recording this time.
Diane, I agree his messages are becoming even more the sound of a desperate man. I cannot even imagine what he will sound like a year from now or even longer. How does one that is supposed to be the Messiah speak with such a dismal outlook on the world? No messenger from my Father would sound like this. He may be a bigger danger to those at Strong City than even before if they are feeling this forsaken too.
Whisperwind, Yes that is what is great about blogs like Mark’s where a free exchange of ideas can be expressed. I often will read an opinion here on this case that really causes me to questions some beliefs I held. That is why all views need to be encouraged.
And more transcripts from the trial will be forthcoming. I will be working on the “the Verdict day,” tomorrow. I promise!
Jan
Thanks to everyone for your comments here. And thanks to Sam Redman and Jan Brennan for their work on the transcripts over at Sam Redman’s Strong City “mirror site,” http://strongcity2.info/trial.html.
Two housekeeping matters: 1) to those of you who’ve e-mailed me over the past week or so, sorry for not getting back to you yet. My new work schedule makes for a long day/night, and that results in far less time available to give to this blog. 2) I’ve decided that I will be closing comments sections on this blog after a post is two weeks old. Again, this is due to the limited time I now have to dedicate to this blog.
For those of you following the Bent transcripts, the Verdict and the Sentencing are all that remain to be published at the mirror site. Once again, that Web site address is http://strongcity2.info/trial.html.
Also, Redman’s blog also has numerous posts about the case. That blog’s URL is http://samredman.wordpress.com/.
For the uninitiated, there are other blogs/sites concerning this case, including, strongcity.info and travesser.info.
Best,
Mark Horner