PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) - The Oregon Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a pastor sentenced in 2015 to 20 years in prison in a sex abuse case after finding that witnesses in testimony improperly referred to the accuser as a victim.
The Oregonian/OregonLive reports the court found Thursday the term may have undermined Michael Sperou’s presumption of innocence and affected his right to a fair trial.
During the trial, the witnesses called by Multnomah County prosecutors included the woman Sperou was charged with abusing as a child, six other women who accused him of abuse, detectives and others.
People were interested in these podcasts
The court says detectives and at least one former church member referred to the women as victims.
Sperou was a co-founder and pastor of the North Clackamas Bible Community in Happy Valley. He denied any abuse occurred and said the accusations were lies that followed a split in the church.
___
Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com
Please read our comment policy before commenting.