NM vs. Wayne Bent / December 10, 2008
KOB-TV Investigative Reporter Jeremy Jojola continues to make contributions here as a special correspondent to Beyond90Seconds.com. Jojola’s e-mails, text, pics and even some of his Twitter updates will appear below. I’ll also include the time (MST) the information was sent to this blog.
9:03am (MST)
Trial is about to resume. Audio recording of alleged victims will be allowed, but no video. I’ll keep you updated with testimony.
9:21am (MST)
17 yr old alleged victim on stand. Smiled at Bent when she walked in.
10:06am (MST)
(Jeremy Jojola just phoned to say that court is taking a five-minute recess after the alleged victim “Healed” began crying on the stand, ultimately proclaiming her love for “Michael”. My conversation with Jojola was a short one, but I’ll post the audio of Jeremy’s report shortly.)
10:38am (MST)
(About 15 minutes ago, I posted a story about an ABC News “exclusive” with Wayne Bent. I’ve already updated that post with some “analysis”.)
11:07am (MST)
(The following link is podcast featuring Jeremy Jojola’s phone report to Beyond90Seconds.com at 10:02 this morning (MST)).
Jeremy Jojola interview (3)
11:39am (MST)
(from Jeremy Jojola’s Twitter page.)
12:27pm (MST)
(Court has recessed for lunch. Just conducted phone interview with Jeremy Jojola that went about 10-minutes. Will post it here shortly. Jojola recaps this morning’s testimony from two alleged victims and much more.)
12:45 (MST)
(VIDEO: Jeremy Jojola’s noon live report for KOB-TV appears below. His audio interview w/Beyond90Seconds.com will be posted shortly.)
[wpvideo lvUuWjMF w=420]
1:16pm (MST)
(AUDIO: Jeremy Jojola’s phone report to Beyond90Seconds.com filed at 12:11pm MST can be heard by clicking on the the link below.)
Jeremy Jojola interview (4)
1:39pm (MST)
(Jeremy Jojola has just informed me that court just took a very brief recess after Bent’s attorney expressed concerns about “inaccurate” reporting. Apparently, a juror has also raised a concern that he/she may have been shown in a news report. Please stay tuned…)
1:42pm (MST)
(Thought some of you might find the coverage interesting from the Taos News: Article, Gallery.)
2:04pm (MST)
(AUDIO: Jeremy Jojola tells Beyond90Seconds.com that defense attorney Sarah Montoya has just voiced a few concerns about media coverage.)
Jeremy Jojola interview (5)
2:21pm (MST)
(Jeremy Jojola’s most recent Twitter post.)
Dr. Elizabeth Dinsmore: victims “groomed” by Bent in the same manner as a sexual predator
3:40pm (MST)
(AUDIO: Jeremy Jojola files another interesting report about the Wayne Bent trial during an afternoon recess. The report was filed at 2:56pm MST. Issues addressed include state’s expert witness who just finished testifying and media coverage; to include mention of interview defense attorney previously gave to Beyond90Seconds.com.)
Jeremy Jojola interview (6)
3:43pm (MST)
Benavidez is still here. That young guy I talked about. His name is Emilio something. I’ll get it by end of Day.
3:59pm (MST)
(In Jojola’s most recent audio interview (above), he refers to my November 3, 2008 interview with Bent’s attorney, Sarah Montoya. You can find a link to the audio interview with Ms. Montoya in my post headlined, “Wayne Bent’s attorney speaks out.” The unedited interview runs 39:09.)
4:28pm (MST)
(Just a note here to let you know that I’ve just added Jojola’s 12/9/08 6pm to yesterday’s post titled, “Day 2: Reporter’s updates from Wayne Bent trial”. The report features interviews with former members of Bent’s church; Johnny Miller and Allen Armstrong.
4:29pm (MST)
Emilio Chavez is his name.
5:05pm (MST)
(Jeremy Jojolo posted the following on Twitter about one hour ago.)
Bent’s attorney is asking court to dismiss charges. State says it has met it’s burden of proof. Update to come soon on this motion.
5:42pm (MST)
(Jeremy Jojola posted the following on Twitter three minutes ago.)
Judge does NOT grant motion to dismiss Bent’s charges. Today, sex abuse expert says Bent may have groomed teens like a sex predator.
6:31pm (MST)
(Jeremy Jojola posted the following on Twitter 38 minutes ago.)
Bent trial resumes tomorrow at 9 am sharp. Bent yet to testify.
12:54am (MST)
(AUDIO: Shortly after the third day of the Wayne Bent trial concluded, Jeremy Jojola filed a report with Beyond90Seconds.com at 6:40pm MST. You can listen to it by clicking the link directly below).
Jeremy Jojola interview (7)
Day 1: Updates on Wayne Bent case from Taos courthouse
Day 2: Reporter’s updates from Wayne Bent trial
Day 3: Reporter’s updates from Wayne Bent trial
Day 4: Reporter’s updates from Wayne Bent trial
Day 5: Reporter’s updates from Wayne Bent trial
If it is wrong for an adult to have naked pictures of 17 year old girls, it is wrong to be in the same room alone with a naked 17 year old girl!
Any parent of a teenage daughter probably has seen how strong “puppy love” can be. You add in relgion and you have a 17 year old that knows everything!!!!!!!!!!1
The significant Hispanic make-up of the jury might work in Wayne Bent’s favor. It is my understanding that there is a general cultural acceptance of older men having sexual relations with much younger (under age) females in the Hispanic community.
The jury make up could be troubling, I do not know as I am not from that area of the country. It just seems that this trial is moving along rather rapidly and with all the incriminating information that Wayne himself has written and has been seen on line, that so much will never be viewed by the jury. I am not sure if I have confidence that this will go the way it should, with Wayne getting a nice jail sentence and have to pay for the damage he has done to these poor girls.
How interesting that Montoya would complain about the media when it was her that leaked evidence from a minor just months ago to this very blog. I hope the NM Bar Assoc. takes a look at this woman for her handling of this case.
“The jury make up could be troubling, I do not know as I am not from that area of the country.”
Jan
10 Dec 08 at 1:05 PM
Neither am I honestly. I think it would depend largely on whether they were recent immigrants from another country or if they grew up here. I should have said “possibly greater” cultural acceptance rather than “general” cultural acceptance.
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The trial was only allowed 5 days so it has to move pretty quickly.
There is a lot of incriminating evidence on the internet but much of it is a repeat of the same theme. And for now at least, the LOR is not on trial, just WB and only 2 issues are being raised, criminal sexual abuse of a minor and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The testimony of the girls (including journals and letters) and bits and pieces of what WB wrote plus what the Mom had to say about the control out on “the land” is probably enough to convict him. As far as the makeup of the jury, the Hispanic culture might be more lenient toward older men and younger girls having relationships but the Hispanic men and women I know would have a fit if an older man accosted their daughter. In fact, most parents would be upset to learn that an older person (or even a younger one) had done something to harm their child.
While those who left the LOR and those of us who have followed this case know there is much more going on at SC, there probably won’t be time for a lot of testimony about the other things that are happening there. Maybe when the expert witnesses start testifying some of that will come out but it sounds like the court is trying to stay to “just the facts” that pertain to these particular counts that WB is charged with.
I believe the prosecutor referenced in Jeremy’s 3:40 pm update is Emilio Chavez, who played a role in some of the preliminary proceedings when Tomas Benavidez was not available.
Betsy: The “woman” handling this case is an extraordinary human being. Sarah Montoya is a courageous and honorable person who works not only is a difficult profession, but in a profession that is always full of uncertainty.
You post that it is “interesting that Montoya would complain about the media when it was her that leaked evidence from a minor just months ago to this very blog.” Was she, in fact, complaining? No she was questioning. Also, the “evidence” you refer to is not entered as evidence to the case at hand. Evidence is that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof; something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign; OR data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects.
To post about the NM Bar Association makes you appear to be malevolent.
DB – Many of us have commented on the passion and robustness of Ms. Montoya’s defense, particularly as a PD.
It appears that you know her. May I ask the connection?
Also, you say that she was not ‘complaining’ about the media coverage, she was ‘questioning.’ Since Mr. Jojola wasn’t sure of the full context of that conversation, could you enlighten us?
Thanks!
I do know her and am very close to her. She is my mother.
As far as providing you with enlightenment, I’m afraid I an unable to do so as I am not in the courtroom right now. Mr. Jojola’s account proves that she was, indeed, questioning, not complaining.
You post that it is “interesting that Montoya would complain about the media when it was her that leaked evidence from a minor just months ago to this very blog.” Was she, in fact, complaining? No she was questioning. Also, the “evidence” you refer to is not entered as evidence to the case at hand. Evidence is that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof; something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign; OR data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects.
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It would seem that the letters she leaked would prove exactly the kind of man Wayne Bent truly is!! Maybe she did not realize that when she leaked it, but it is all too apparent now.
DB ~ Clearly you know better than I. I’m sorry you took such offense, I certainly do not have ill will for Ms. Montoya regardless of my opinion on her actions. I do support peer governing bodies, and do not hold an ill view of professional guidance and accountability. I’m of the mind set that differing opinions do not need to result in hate. I’m sorry you don’t share this perspective.
Jan- What is in those letters reflects much of what was all on the strongcity website months ago. Did you miss your opportunity to read it? I found it all to be extremely disparate from the norm much like everyone else….
Betsy: The perspective I don’t share is the malicious intent toward those who labor to provide for their families.
Knowing you “do not have ill will for Ms. Montoya regardless of my opinion on her actions” only lessens the appearance of malevolence one degree.
DB – Thanks for your response. It helps me understand where you are coming from. I, too, had a parent in a difficult profession (he taught in Raton) and have found it difficult to hear criticism of him or his work.
Keep in mind we’re all just very opinionated lay people. We don’t have the years of knowledge of your mother that you have – in fact, I don’t think I’ve read much of a biography on her at all.
So, when making comments critical of her work product, I would suggest that no malevolence is intended, just people as passionate about this case as you are about your mother’s work – and coming at it from very different perspectives.
DB…
“Evidence is that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof; something that makes plain or clear; an indication or sign; OR data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents, or objects.”
This was your definition for “evidence” DB…
By the first definition you give for evidence, the letter from Healed fits very nicely to prove events that had taken place, give grounds for belief that in fact there had been inappropriate interaction between Bent and the underaged girl “Healed”. It does make plain or clear, and gives an indication or sign in the form of a BIG RED FLAG that Bent has gone too far and has abused his position of authority. It also is a grand indication of the thought control of Bent over his followers displayed by Healed. So by your own definition, DB, the letters from Healed are most certainly evidence, whether entered as such by the court or not.
Even your “extraordinary human being” Sarah Montoya seems to cater to Bents version of reality. This is Wayne Bents area of expertise, defining reality for the group. That is why Montoya’s comments are relative and not necessarily a tangent when she asks the psychiatrist whether she understands how Strong City works. Strong City works by Bent’s definition of reality, how he spins it. She is attempting to ask the girls psychiatrist to subscribe, or at least relate to Bent’s spin on reality, and then implying that because the Dr. doesnt understand reality according to Wayne, therefore the Dr. is not really qualified to witness to what she has observed in the girls. Honestly, Montoya is sounding more and more like a convert from Strong CIty.
Simply taking a look at the facts at hand, there are many red flags that something is not right about what Wayne has been doing with the underage girls. Then when you understand the depths of control he has over the people, it becomes a much clearer picture of the damage done.
By the way, the style in which DB writes is cookie cutter example of how those well trained in the Bent version of reality operate. There is a belittling attitude and flavor of personal attack to try to bully the previous poster, and make them be quiet and not criticize the “extraordinary human being” Sarah Montoya’s handling of the case.
Hey . . . . guys?
Mark’s doing an extraordinary job of keeping us updated and “in the know” about this case.
He doesn’t need to be here refereeing. We’re all passionate about this case (each for our own reasons) – so let’s try to keep emotions and personal attacks out of it and focus on the case, huh?
Pretty please – I don’t want comments closed AGAIN because people can’t play nice in Mark’s sandbox!
DB,
I apologize, you sounded so much like one of Bents followers that I assumed you were. I can understand why Sarah Montoya is an extraordinary human being to you, and I have nothing against her personally.
I can’t speak to DB’s intent, but I’m not belittled or bullied. I know my heart, and I can relate to wanting to see only perfection in my parent. DB chooses how I appear to her, its her right.
No worries EMC…all is well.
EMC, I too work in education. I see many, many things. All of which can be subjective to questions and a result of problematic issues in people’s lives. Your father must be a compassionate person.
Tori, are you a former Strong City member? I’m sorry you missed my explanation of who I am.
Betsy, you appear to me exactly as you are. I remember the destructive way you chose to run a campaign.
I wish I could stay with my bucket and shovel and play in the sandbox longer, however, I am a parent and my children need their mother.
Thanks for the conversation. I look forward to returning later.
Campaign? Who do you think I am? How funny, you are in total projection.
DB – Yes, I am a former member… a long time ago, about 15 years I was with them. It was long before Bent proclaimed himself messiah. I left about the same time Alan Armstrong left.
And yes, I totally missed your explanation of who you were. It appeared you were attacking Betsy, and forgive me for jumping to her defense. The trial does certainly stir things up.
Im just not willing to stand still anymore when I see (or think I see) others being mistreated. Im sure because this has become such a media event that it has certainly made it delicate waters for your mother to tread in. Im only hoping to shed some light on how the group reasoning works and how Bent controls them, as much of it is very subtle.
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