Sexual assault case from 97 heads to court - Boston.

com

HOME Local

TODAY'S National World

NEWS Politics

YOUR TOWN Business

BUSINESS

SPORTS Science

LIFESTYLE Green

A&E Obituaries

THINGS TO Special reports

TRAVEL Traffic

CARS Weather

JOBS

REAL ESTATE

Education

Health

Lottery

HOME / COLLECTIONS / SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE

Advertisement

Sexual assault case from 97 heads to court

May 05, 2011 | Associated Press

MORE LIKE THIS

Conviction in sexual assault case overturned
April 17, 2005

Share

E-mail

Print

Judge in Bryant case casts stern image

October 27, 2003

CONCORD, N.H. A former New Hampshire resident who said she was sexually assaulted by a fellow church member when she was a teenager and become pregnant is bracing to testify against him. Ernest Willis of Guilford, 52, is charged with felonious and aggravated sex assault of his childrens 15-year-old babysitter in 1997. He has pleaded not guilty and is free on $100,000 bond. Jury selection for his trial begins May 16, and the Merrimack County prosecutor expects the woman, now 29, will testify on the first day of trial May 23. Tina Anderson said in a telephone interview yesterday that her mood vacillates as the trial approaches. Obviously, theres some fear there, Anderson said. Its not really cool to have to go and share your whole life story, but it needs to be done. Justice needs to be done, she said. The Associated Press generally does not identify people who say they were victims of sex crimes, but Anderson asked that her name be made public. The case has received widespread attention because of her relocation out of state and because former Trinity Baptist Church Pastor Chuck Phelps made her stand before the congregation and apologize for getting pregnant out of wedlock. Concord police said they were unable to make an arrest at the time because the girl could not be found. Former church leaders had arranged for Anderson to move to Colorado to live with a Baptist family and place her baby up for adoption. Phelps, who now lives in Indianapolis and has been subpoenaed to testify in the trial, said he promptly reported the rape allegations to police and helped relocate Anderson at her mothers request. Andersons mother, Christine Leaf, has refused to comment on whether she initiated or consented to the relocation. Friends and online posts last year led police to Anderson, who had married and moved to Arizona. Pending before the court is a request by the defense to use prior sexual activity in crossexamining Anderson. Anderson has said, and her mother reported to police, that her stepfather molested her when she was ages 9-11. Prosecutor Wayne Coull has not yet responded to the request. Also, defense attorneys Donna Brown and Brooksley Belanger want to prevent the prosecution from introducing evidence that Willis offered to take Anderson to a neighboring state to have an abortion. Anderson told police Willis also offered to punch her in the stomach to induce a miscarriage. His lawyers said those statements are irrelevant and would prejudice Williss fair trial rights. In a statement to police in March 2010, Anderson said she used to baby-sit for Williss children and their families were close. She said when she was 15, Willis offered to teach her

DAs, defense lawyers argue their case on funding priorities

October 15, 2010

FIND MORE STORIES ABOUT

Sexual Assault Case

Advertisement

http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-05/news/29513523_1_sexual-assault-case-trial-approaches-prior-sexual-activity[6/28/2011 3:47:22 AM]

Sexual assault case from 97 heads to court - Boston.com

to drive when her mother refused to do so. She said it was during one of these lessons, as they parked in a lot to change drivers, that Willis pulled her into the back seat and raped her. She said the second attack occurred weeks later, when Willis appeared at her Concord home and forced her onto a couch. Anderson said she told her mother about the assaults after she learned she was pregnant. Her mother took her to Phelps for counseling. Anderson said Phelps promptly arranged for her relocation to Colorado and made her confess before the congregation.

2011 NY Times Co.

Index by Keyword

Index by Date

Contact Boston.com

Privacy Policy

Your Ad Choices

http://articles.boston.com/2011-05-05/news/29513523_1_sexual-assault-case-trial-approaches-prior-sexual-activity[6/28/2011 3:47:22 AM]