Friday, May 28, 2010

Twin Mormon abusers, or not

Two identical twins stand accused of child molestation. Both were Mormon missionaries at the time of the crime. One admits his guilt and is awaiting sentencing. The other claims innocence and asserts mistaken identity as his defense. He says, "I was and never have been interested in young boys." Except for the time he accidentally brushed the boys genitals. He was not interested  in young boys, no, he just happened to touch the boy's junk.

John Patrick Conway is using his brother as an excuse to escape accountability for molesting a 14-year-old boy in a LDS Church back in the early 80s.  Conway would have been about 18 at the time the abuse started.

The case is a conundrum. It comes down to the word of a convicted pedophile, John's brother Martyn, and an abuse youth. Since John Conway's trial is about to go to a jury, I'll predict a conviction. Mistaken identity is too convenient of an excuse. I think the jury will see this for what it is, one brother trying to take the fall for another.

Is there another party at fault here? I think the LDS church bears some responsibility. They send thousands of young adults around the world every year on Mormon missionary work. These kids are fresh out of high school and in their sexual prime. A higher standard of adult supervision is required. The buddy system does not work if both parties are corrupt. An additional system of oversight is required.

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Something doesn't add up here. The news account says the abuse occurred between 1979 and 1986. Seven years? Mormon missionaries are only missionaries for two years--and then away from home. It's very unusual for twins to be sent to the same mission. This sounds like they were both missionaries at one time and the news report has confounded the circumstances. If I were a betting man, I'd wager this abuse occurred when they were living at home rather than while missionaries.
1 reply · active less than 1 minute ago
Good point. I'll dig a little.
I am glad I'm not sitting on this jury. Of course if I was I would have more information available but it does seem like something is a little fishy here. If he was around 18 when this happened, I don't see it the same as when the guy is much older. When you were 18 did you see fooling around with girls under 18 as something that was wrong? What were the actual laws at the time of the event? I know many states have changed their laws in regard to age of consent since the 70's and 80's.
2 replies · active 775 weeks ago
The abuse happend over a few years. The abuse happend to a 14 year old boy. I think even then 18 on 14 was against the law, even in Utah.
I understand that but a jury today wouldn't see him as an 18 yr old but as the 50 year old adult now. I know here in Arkansas, someone under 20 years old is treated differently in regards to sex with a minor under the age of 16 then someone over the age of 20.

I would need so much more information to decide what the truth is. There are to many questions that the news article doesn't answer. I would need to see all the evidence to decide on this one.

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