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Liberty, MO —
Burrell Mohler Sr., the family patriarch who is accused along with his sons of sexually abusing family members at a farm near Bates City in the 1980s, has been set free for the first time in more than two years.
Clay County Circuit Judge Larry Harman on Friday denied a motion by Mohler to bar the alleged victims from testifying, but he did release the 79-year-old man from jail, the first time he will be free since November 2009.
Mohler, an Independence resident at the time of his arrest, had been in jail since then awaiting trial in Clay County on the charges. He was released on his own recognizance and must appear in court on July 20.
Burrell Mohler Jr., also of Independence, remains in jail as of now. David, Jared and Roland Mohler are also accused of committing dozens of sex crimes at the family’s home near Bates City starting in the early 1980s, but those three are free on bond. All have pleaded not guilty.
The trials have been repeatedly pushed back due in part to delays in the defense obtaining evidence, including the six siblings’ health care records. Defense attorneys have argued their clients have been in limbo for more than two years, living as accused child molesters, without getting a chance to prove their innocence in court.
Defense attorneys also argue there is no evidence to support the claims of abuse. They also note that the victims have said they didn’t remember until three years ago many details of alleged acts that they claim occurred in the 1980s and continued for several years.
Also today, Harman said he plans to rule next week on defense motions to dismiss two rape charges against David, 54.
Burrell Mohler Sr., the family patriarch who is accused along with his sons of sexually abusing family members at a farm near Bates City in the 1980s, has been set free for the first time in more than two years.
Clay County Circuit Judge Larry Harman on Friday denied a motion by Mohler to bar the alleged victims from testifying, but he did release the 79-year-old man from jail, the first time he will be free since November 2009.
Mohler, an Independence resident at the time of his arrest, had been in jail since then awaiting trial in Clay County on the charges. He was released on his own recognizance and must appear in court on July 20.
Burrell Mohler Jr., also of Independence, remains in jail as of now. David, Jared and Roland Mohler are also accused of committing dozens of sex crimes at the family’s home near Bates City starting in the early 1980s, but those three are free on bond. All have pleaded not guilty.
The trials have been repeatedly pushed back due in part to delays in the defense obtaining evidence, including the six siblings’ health care records. Defense attorneys have argued their clients have been in limbo for more than two years, living as accused child molesters, without getting a chance to prove their innocence in court.
Defense attorneys also argue there is no evidence to support the claims of abuse. They also note that the victims have said they didn’t remember until three years ago many details of alleged acts that they claim occurred in the 1980s and continued for several years.
Also today, Harman said he plans to rule next week on defense motions to dismiss two rape charges against David, 54.
