TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Three employees of a Tulsa megachurch have waived their right to a jury trial on misdemeanor charges that they did not promptly report the rape of a 13-year-old girl.
Meanwhile, attorneys representing John and Charica Daugherty — the son and daughter-in-law of the head pastor of Victory Christian Center — say their clients will go to trial on the same charges.
At a brief hearing Wednesday, employees Paul Willemstein, Anna George and Harold "Frank" Sullivan waived their right to a trial. A judge set a March 18 hearing where the three will enter pleas and evidence about the alleged abuse will be presented.
Ex-Victory employee Chris Denman was sentenced in December to 55 years in prison for raping the 13-year-old girl and other sex crimes.