Deputies take Todd Phelps into custody after the jury verdict this morning in Lewis County Superior Court.
Updated at 3:18 p.m. on Saturday April 28, 2011
By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The jury came back with guilty verdicts in the rape trial of former Pe Ell High School softball coach Todd Phelps.
It took six men and six women a little more than four hours between yesterday afternoon and this morning to make their decision.
Phelps, 52, was handcuffed and taken down to the jail.
The benches in the the courtroom in Lewis County Superior Court were packed, except for about half of them on the defendant’s side of the room.
Phelps faces as much as six years in prison when he is sentenced in the case involving a 16-year-old student player.
A sentencing date has not been set.
The expected four day trial that began last week extended into eight days as prosecutors attempted to prove Phelps gradually seduced a girl already troubled with low self esteem and depression and ultimately had sex with her they said was clearly against her wishes.
Jurors heard witnesses testify about thousands of texts exchanged between the two, before and after Phelps was forced to quit his coaching job because of boundary violations with the player.
Defense attorney Don Blair painted a picture of a caring father-figure who was attempting to prevent a suicide. Blair said his client never thought he did anything inappropriate.
The now-17-year-old girl spent a day and a half on the witness stand
Phelps did not testify.
He was found guilty of third-degree rape as well as second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor in connection with encounters last spring and summer with the high school student.
The jurors also found he used his position of trust with a particularly vulnerable victim, meaning the judge can sentence him above the standard sentencing range.
The potential sentence is anywhere between six months to six years, according to Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead.
Phelps’ family and lawyer quickly vanished from the courthouse following the verdict.
The victim’s family slowly made their way out of the courtroom in Chehalis as they exchanged hugs with each other and others. It was very quiet.
Judge Nelson Hunt had warned spectators there should be no outbursts when the verdict was read.
Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer said he had little to say since the sentencing is pending.
“As always, we have trust in the jury system,” Meyer said. “But the case isn’t over, so that’s all I can say.”
Before the jury began deliberating on Thursday afternoon, they heard an almost three hour summary from both sides about what they should consider.
Deputy Prosecutor Halstead spoke for more than two hours reminding jurors of the many details – lots of talk with sexual overtones – they’d heard that suggested Phelps had a different motive than helping a troubled teen.
In mid-April of last year, after the assistant coach was told by the school and her parents to stop having contact with her except at fast pitch, it continued with constant texting including one from him the following morning, according to Halstead.
“This should have been the end of all of this,” he said. “The state would submit to you he has a different agenda.”
Defense attorney Blair subtly told jurors it was her word against his.
None of the lawyers were involved in the situation when it was going on, he said.
“We can’t tell you, we have to rely on what everybody else said happened,” he said.
Blair agreed there were a lot of “contacts” but reminded jurors the content of the messages were unavailable, and said the prosecutor’s case relied upon a lot of smoke.
The defense attorney spoke of how Phelps had coached for as long as 18 years before “all of the sudden” something like this comes up.
His client was concerned because he learned the girl had been cutting on herself, something her father yelled at her about when it came to his attention, Blair said.
He made no secret he was trying to help her, Blair said.
Blair argued some of the prosecution’s witnesses were mistaken and that the April 2 incident at Phelps house about kissing and Phelps pressing his body against the girl’s did not happen.
“I’m not saying any of these folks did or did not lie,” Blair said. “But we know all of the stories can’t be true, because of the lack of consistency.”
The detectives found no blood on the carpet in Phelps’ brother’s house, which the girl said soaked through a towel, Phelps’ computer wasn’t analyzed and much of the prosecutor’s case relied upon what the girl and her friend said, the defense attorney said.
“Other than the contact, we don’t have that hard proof,” he said. “It’s just not there.”
On the topic of the alleged rape on July 27, Blair offered indications of both his client not even being present and if he was, that it did not amount to rape.
The defense attorney noted phone records that showed Phelps and his wife were texting late that afternoon.
“In order to get a text and reply 30 second later, one would think you’re at your phone, not committing a sex crime,” he said.
Deputy Prosecutor Halstead pointed out the records showed texts and phone calls, not all of which were answered immediately and argued they supported what the teenager told detectives.
“The defendant’s whereabouts, despite the testimony from his daughter, cannot be accounted for,” Halstead said.
Halstead reminded jurors of testimony from others that would help them understand why Phelps asked the teenager to meet him at his brother’s house the day of the rape.
He knows his brother is working out of town and his sister-in-law is going shopping with his wife, Halstead said.
“I guess he was either there, or he wasn’t,” he said. “If he was there, I guess you are to believe (the girl) consented.”
He detailed the girl’s actions and words that he said showed clearly she was not consenting to sex.
Consent is not an issue for the other charge, only that the girl was a student and the defendant was her coach, according to Halstead.
Halstead gave numerous examples of Phelps’ “grooming” the girl for sexual activity.
He also noted that after the April 2 kiss – when she was asked to show her coach the self-inflicted cuts on her thighs – a girl who had never been kissed told the youth pastor’s wife the very next day.
“She needs to express something to someone, but doesn’t want to get the defendant in trouble,” he said.
He pointed out another kiss, which Phelps said was on the forehead, was witnessed by Phelps’ daughter who told two individuals about it but denied it when she took the witness stand.
Halstead admitted the girl played a role in the continued contact between the two, although he blamed Phelps for isolating her from others, leaving him as a lone trusted confidante.
“I think it’s pretty clear she had a crush on him,” he said. “She trusts him, she probably likes the attention, she’s 16.”
Her reliance on her coach was part of why there was little physical evidence showing their conversations via text, according to Halstead.
For example, when she got caught texting him in class, she erased everything, according to Halstead.
“She’s upset, she didn’t want this to get out,” he said. “She deletes all heir texts from her iPod, her mom actually has to go under the stall (in the school bathroom) to grab the iPod.”
Halstead reminded jurors of corroborative testimony and evidence the two continued communicating after he was no longer her coach; through girls who said they acted as go-betweens, and when the teenager gave Phelps her password to him so he could message her using her hotmail account.
Two emails from September submitted as evidence were found inside a special folder called “For my little star” were important, according to the deputy prosecutor.
One was a love song by Mariah Carey called “Without you“, the other a frowning face with the words I’m sorry.
“Who is sorry? What are they sorry for?” Halstead asked.
He pointed out jurors had heard testimony the only individuals with the password were the girl, Phelps and Phelps’ daughter.
“Remember what he said to his co-worker, ‘My life would be over if they found my text messages’, ” Halstead said.
The same co-worker Mark Miller testified Phelps was “obsessed” with the teenager, Halstead reminded the jury.
“Mark warned him, stay away from her Dude, you’re a truck driver, not a shrink,” he said.
Halstead suggested Phelps misled his family, suggesting the girl was in imminent danger of harming herself and nobody was doing anything about it, when actually her family already knew about the cutting and had gotten her counseling.
He related that to a motive Phelps family members may have had to remember facts in a skewed manner when they testified, in particular Annette Phelps when she told what time she last saw he husband on July 27.
“She’s in denial, the reason she’s in denial is she doesn’t have all the information,” he said.
Halstead told the jury the girl told very detailed, consistent stories; that it took courage for her to testify.
“She was cross examined for four and a half hours,” he said. “Consistent. Nothing inconsistent with her story.”
Judge Hunt told the attorneys to return next Thursday when a sentencing date for Phelps would be set.
The second-degree sexual misconduct with a minor conviction is related to an incident that occurred on or about April 2, 2011. It is is a gross misdemeanor with a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail.
The third-degree rape conviction is related to July 27, 2011. It is a felony that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Attorneys gave closing arguments in front of a large audience in Lewis County Superior Court.
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
@churchsucks- I’d say AMEN! But would they call that blasphemy? ^_^
Todd may have torn apart the community but the young woman, her family, and all her supports will put Pe Ell back together….
Take that back… Pe Ell wont put back together they will FINALLY be on the right track. It’s been fucked up for years and now the residents finally have a chance when women have more protection. They’re voices will be heard when they are victimized. So many have suffered in virtual silence telling only a few friends while the men could hear the bastards bragging on a regular basis and couldn’t or didn’t do a damn thing about it. Watch out pedophiles and groomers.
If you listen to the Easter Sunday sermon at NH posted on their website, you get an insight into some of the bullshit that comes out of the church aside from the pastor wants to eat biscuits and gravy and ham on Easter Sunday and call women gossip girls that talk at the same time so they can’t hear what each other are saying.
“With all the things going on around us……. politics…. what is going on at the court house…… some people just want all the nitty gritty details… all that doesn’t matter…. just follow Jesus…”
In a nut shell guilt guilt guilt just remember your life doesn’t matter, earth doesn’t matter.
Well lets remember folks while your head it up in the clouds looking for Jesus your children are being raped on earth by your own church members and MANY (not all so check your anger) of those same church members and leaders victim blame and shame the victims and family members who seek justice.
I think he has a tiny bit of attention deficit disorder myself. Trying to track his train of thought and reasoning is a miracle in its self. He contradicts his message throughout the whole sermon and drives a person quite mad hearing WOW… AMAZING… WOW… AMAZING… WOW in order to stir up some kind of enthusiasm around what he has to say.
However, I need to stop the insults because I am sure when he or others read this they will translate its meaning into another delusional interpretation when criticized and held accountable they are persecuted. And persecution is just another divine sign from God they’re justified in all they do. Holy hell.
And no I am not doing the work of the devil and don’t even know it.
Can’t help but hear the little hidden messages he has for his “chosen” few and little snippets that imply justification for his poor behavior and choice. Hope he feels guilty…..ya ya… that will be the day.
So, has anybody else heard that the church (which I and many others fondly call the Cult Church) paid for his attorney?
Do you think old arrogant Todd realizes he has torn apart a community? Does he take responsibility for any of his actions? Does he acknowledge his ability to make poor choices? Does he understand the devastation and torment that his own family has succumbed too because of him? Does he recognize that he as bruised a life that will take years to return to its natural color? Does he understand that the colors of bruising can last for years when such actions take place in our society? Does he understand that in a correction facility his name means nothing? Or that they do not care who he is or isn’t? Does he understand that fast, smoothing talking will get him bent over in a shower stall? Is he concerned about the time it will take a community to heal from his actions? Does he care? Does anyone see any remorse in this man? Can he even be considered man anymore?
TroganPride….my spell check changed my word chimo to chump. Ill bet you didn’t know “chimo” is not in the dictionary did ya. In either case, chump or chimo, both words fit and apply to Todd anyway.
If you count good behavior I think you may be right trojan pride. I think everyone needs to prepare themselves. Every case is different as well as every offender is different. Sometimes people don’t understand there are manuals used by judges that try to make sure sentencing is consistent. It may not seem consistent to a layman but when you read the manuals you understand. This is one instance I would love to be wrong. But when you think of how you want Justice served when someone has an offender score of zero the sentence is light because there is an opportunity for the person to learn from their mistake and not do it again.
Rape three is considered a non-violent sex offense and it is not child rape or molestation. Sixteen is the age of sexual consent in Washington state. I don’t agree with the law but it is the law.
A man in the same area got 20 years for molesting a girl. MOLESTING!! Why should this bastard get any less than 6 years?! Is it simply because his family is well-known? I say we bring public punishment and executions back. Just a slap on the hand isn’t going to fix the problem. If this man truly is a Christian, then he knows forgiveness is out of the question. And another problem person in that area; a school teacher who is suspended, WITH pay mind you, for touching a student inappropriately! This isn’t his first incident, either… And STILL, we allow our children to be around these kinds of people! Pedophiles, rapists, and sexual abusers should have the same kind of mental and emotional scarring done to them.
Bet anyone on her Todd only serves a year max
Feeling better, Trojanpride, now that you’ve made fun of someone for their use of English? Guess you missed the day in school when the teacher explained the difference between the words “there” and “their”…or the other day regarding punctuation in which there is no space before commas…or still another day when the most basic fundamentals of sentence structure was gone over.
But , hey , you sure done taught that there Happy Camper a thing or two about them words like chump and how they is s’posed to be used. We sure am proud of you cause you done showed all us folks how English works (snort).
Thanks for pointing that out, “justice”… it’s not really going to matter, because this monster is going to the big house. Hopefully, the judge doesn’t allow him to get any “automatic good time” and makes him serve a MINIMUM sentence as well…
I couldn’t find anything in there on how long he is going to have to register as a sex offender….
@George thanks so much for trying to clear up any misunderstandings about the standard sentencing range. But to be honest with you I don’t care how this state does the sentencing. No matter how many years that dirt bag gets it won’t be long enough. I am pretty sure there more the just a few people who feel the same way. Also I didn’t ask about the RCW because I could care less. I speak from personal experience he will more then likely not be classified as a violent offender he knew his victim. There are many things that factor into what his classification will be once he is released. Oh and the fact that he may never be able to get a decent job ha ha ha. Well maybe he should have thought of that ….. um well before he touched this girl. I dont feel bad what so ever for him.
Happy camper honestly a chump Is someone like you , chump doesn’t fit in knows the street slang , acts like there so out of everything , yet there using the Internet to post and never heard chump before really ?? Welcome to the future , I’m sorry but really never heard chump
RCW 9A.20.021
Maximum sentences for crimes committed July 1, 1984, and after.
(1) Felony. Unless a different maximum sentence for a classified felony is specifically established by a statute of this state, no person convicted of a classified felony shall be punished by confinement or fine exceeding the following:
(a) For a class A felony, by confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of life imprisonment, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of fifty thousand dollars, or by both such confinement and fine;
(b) For a class B felony, by confinement in a state correctional institution for a term of ten years, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of twenty thousand dollars, or by both such confinement and fine;
(c) For a class C felony, by confinement in a state correctional institution for five years, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of ten thousand dollars, or by both such confinement and fine.
(2) Gross misdemeanor. Every person convicted of a gross misdemeanor defined in Title 9A RCW shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term fixed by the court of up to three hundred sixty-four days, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than five thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.
(3) Misdemeanor. Every person convicted of a misdemeanor defined in Title 9A RCW shall be punished by imprisonment in the county jail for a maximum term fixed by the court of not more than ninety days, or by a fine in an amount fixed by the court of not more than one thousand dollars, or by both such imprisonment and fine.
(4) This section applies to only those crimes committed on or after July 1, 1984.
I feel the need to say that even though I think the minister made a very poor choice with the Easter service.
The YOUTH MINISTER AND HIS WIFE ARE WONDERFUL!!
They have acted like real man and woman of God. With total support and love for her and TRUE counceling every step. They gave such amazing support to the whole family. We will be forever gratefu.l THANK YOU BEN & MEL FOREVER!
Sharyn, I’m getting my data directly from the Revised Code of Washington, the RCW… In other words, State Law.
Here is the link: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/
Title 9 has “crimes and punishments”
Title 9A has “Washington criminal code”
It’s all right there.
And another thing tin bridge look at your shitty comment below. Nothing is worse than someone trying to purposely name another on an anonymous site because even if you are wrong, you have the potential to suppress that other person from posting, because any thing they say in the future could unknowingly harm someone they don’t even know.
No one knows what kind of a wacko you are or not.
Tin Bridge says:
Friday, April 27, 2012 at 8:23 am
While the jury is out lets play the who’s who game I thought Angelina was the Dreva knocked up, as anger is a secondary emotion caused by frustration or embarrassment brought on by getting caught lying on the stand…. and lets face it knocked up is pissed
Then someone told me in a private message they thought Angelina is Stephanie and Todd is Ryder.
Reguargless 99% of the people in PL know he did it 1% are the Phelps and even some of them are saying he’s guilty as hell.
What article Pete? It didn’t post.
Ha! I think my Pe Ell math figuring is a little off.
As far as I am concerned tin bridge you can just shut the hell up. Being quiet and shhhh-ing everyone into guilt ridden complacency is what got this town into this mess. Calling people out for their bullshit is its only hope it wont happen again. If people are worried about their reputations then they can get their shit together or take the consequences.
If I am reading the 2011 Washington State Adult Sentencing Guidelines Manual page 348 correctly. For the felony rape 3 alone Todd’s offender score would be zero because he has no history of felony adult convictions, zero juvenile felony convictions, or zero other current felony conviction. Rape 3 is a level 5 with a score of 0 the standard range is 6-12 months. I am not sure how the sexual misconduct gets figured into the equation. I have no clue how judges figure out the aggravated circumstances portion.
But if the judged gave Todd 1/5 the time of the misdemeanor charge as the felony standard did that would be 1/5 of 364 days is 72 days.
If you took both minimums of 6 mo plus another 2-3 month that is not even a year in prison. But if the judged at least doubled the figure of 9 months he would spend 19 months in prison. that is my best guess. Anyone else have experience at figuring things things?
Thats a rather provocative statement made by the prosecuter at the close of the above article.
As far a registering as a S.O. Rape in the third is a class ‘c’ felony so registry will be for 10 years, the main question is what level he will be at, Level 1 is least chance of public threat and requires no general public notice, save for schools, daycares, etc. Level 3 is most likely to reoffend and along with level 2 requires public notice postings. Rape is considered a violent offence in Washington state law, so it could be a level 2 moderate risk for him, at the least.
You can see for yourself sentencing guide lines in the R.C.W.. He could get as little as 9 months, which could be served in county jail, probably I’m guessing he’ll get between 18-28 months of real incarceration time. Alot depends on the victim impact statement, and how it affects them. The judge has it up to his discretion.
I’ll guess he’s sentenced to thirty six months, but thats only my uneducated guess.
George, I don’t know where you’re getting your info on the standard sentencing range. The maximum penalty for third-degree rape is five years. The max for the other crime is one year. I could be mistaken, although my knowledge of the lengthiest sentence he can get comes from one of the two deputy prosecutor’s who handled the case.
I am thinking the best thing that could happen right now is for the internet to go down on PL for a couple of days. Innocent people and their private issues are being drug into this that have nothing to do with Todd. Stay on subject and quit dragging your frustrations and and hear say into this, harm is being done.
Sharyn, it’s in your own article: “The jurors also found he used his position of trust with a particularly vulnerable victim, meaning the judge can sentence him above the standard sentencing range.”
Standard sentencing range for Rape 3 is from 9 months to 7 years, depending on the range the judge gives. (9 months, you’ll serve 6-12 months… 7 years, you’ll serve 72-96 months [6-8 years]). This is according to RCW 9.94A.510. (see also RCW 9.94A.515).
Also, according to RCW 9.94A.533, he could be given additional time, up to 2 more years. See subsection 8 of this RCW… Also see RCW 9.94A.535 subsection 3(f).
In any case, he’s going to be in prison for a while.
Thank you for the education bugsy…..
chimo = child molester
nh = new harvest church
Chimo…….what does this mean?
I don’t really know what chump means either. Anyone care to explain?
What does “NH” stand for? Ive seen it a couple of times now and cannot place it.
Actually George, that’s not quite right. The maximum sentence he can be given, according to Deputy Prosecutor Will Halstead, is six years. I can’t tell you exactly what the standard sentencing range is. So when he is sentenced, he could get as little as six months or as much as six years. — Sharyn Decker
I have heard this is not the first family chased out of NH because their childrens chimo started attending there$
For “MindBlowing” and “M&K”, the standard sentencing range for the crimes Phelps was convicted of is 6 months to 6 years. From the article, “The jurors also found he used his position of trust with a particularly vulnerable victim, meaning the judge can sentence him above the standard sentencing range.” So, the judge COULD go, say, up to 10 years, for example.
However, in Washington, once you are sentenced to prison, unless the court says otherwise, you instantly have 1/3 of your sentence deducted for “good time”, and you can have more time removed for work, and for “being good”. This means that if Phelps is sentenced to 6 years, it is entirely feasible for him to be out in 2. In his case, I hope the judge gives a minimum sentence as well.
And then, there is the whole bit about him having to register as a sex offender. That in itself will be enough to prevent him from ever holding a decent job, or from being in any sort of position where he could do this to some other victim. He may have messed up some little girls’ life (she can get help, and she can heal), but he destroyed his own, and he has ruined the lives of a whole family.
And for what?
child molesters and rapistis are the worst of the worst solution get rid of them for good problem solved.
MR. KNOW IT ALL… You are a fucking idiot.
I agree with others, it’s 2012 and women make their own decisions these days. Why would you try to bring th Woods’ into this, are you hauling around some guilt of your own, you were fooled and manipulated along with everyone else? How long ago was the restraining order hearing, like last year? Alot can change in a short time and last I checked they were not present supporting the Phelps during the trial. So don’t try to point fingers.
The reason I said I don’t agree or disagree is because I also felt the VICTIM’S family should have been asked what service she/they wanted to attend.
Todd’s family has been attending church there for many many years, I think that would have been hard on any minister. I don’t know if the victim had the choice first or if the Phelp’s requested first.
As far as who’s side the church was on or there involvment during the trial, I DON’T KNOW, therefore I won’t agrue that point.. BTW I DO NOT ATTEND CHURCH THERE. I just get sick of seeing everyone twist the truth’s into half truths..
I do believe justice was served…
NH is known for passing the plate….keep those dollars rolling in, the Minister needs a new motorcycle. I to have heard plenty of things about that church & have a poor opinion about them but the thing that makes me the most upset is that Mrs. Minister did in fact break the confidences of the victims family. Really sad that it was of no shock to most as both the minister & his wife are known to repeat anything told to them.
Can’t help but wake up this morning and wonder about Todd’s first night in jail. He has and will have lots of time to think about how he and his families’ lies didn’t work to keep him free and able to reoffend. You have seen other posters disclosed that this was not his first victim since the seventies.
His bed is likely a paper thin mattrace with one blanket. He will be eating food that lacks flavor and substance. His juice will be a watered down version of koolaid. The night air will be filled with sounds and cries of other criminals that will leave him hungry for sleep. He will wake up with aches and pains in his body he cannot releive and no one will give a care if he gets a pain releiver.
When he has to use the toilet he will be as exposed and violated as his victim which he tried to destroy and keep isolated away from her family, friends and community.
To those that defend Phelps don’t forget…. What he was doing to try and help this girl aside from the kiss and the rape was WRONG. So let that be a lesson, because if you support, defend or let someone else do that again this town is going chase you down and make you and them pay. IT IS NOT OKAY TO REPEATEDLY TEXT, CALL, AND FONDLE STUDENTS. Even though is is legal if you are not a teacher or in a position of authority it is still not okay for males to target girls under 18 for sexual advances.
I wanted to add one more thing, I THINK the reason why the courts can only sentence him to a maximum of six years is because he knew his victim, and he didn’t just go out and commit this crime against some one in an alley. From what I have hear or been told is the courts may not classify him as a violent(sp) offender. He may not even have publicly register as a sex offender once he is released. He will have to register with sheriffs department. Thank goodness lewis county did their job again in this case. Thank you for getting another rapist off the streets.
This is a very sad and horrible case for all that were involved. My heart goes out to the girl and her family. The pain, nightmares, and the embarrassment this has caused for this poor girl. I am so glad the case is over. I don’t believe six years is enough. I also think that people like that man should be sentenced just like a murderer!! I would like let this girl know that pain and nightmares do fade. I speak for personal experience, it will get better. It may never go away, but the details will fade. Please keep your head held high, and always remember this was not your fault!! A word for this girls family please stand next to her and get her some help. She needs all the support she can get. God bless!
Does anyone know when the court transcripts will be available?
I have one more question for Mr Know it All.
Why did the Phelps’s request come before the Victims request?
She was considered the victim and need of help right?
OH, that’s right, it might impede on the collection plate if you ticked off the bigger family now wouldn’t it.
Still another reason why the Victim was not protected by those who should have been looking out for her.
After re reading your post Mr kNOW IT ALL, I think you are a bit scared …
Why are you shifting the “blame” to Mr woods? What is your motive? Could it be that your “church” could suffer? Maybe the treatment of the family that was successful today in there journey for Justice?
Never ever should a church shun or shy away any parishioner that seeks solace within it’s walls…..Shame on them, shame on you.
Find your own peace with the Lord, and please leave the rest of them alone. I bet my last dollar, the church has lost a lot of “followers”.
6 years max???!!!!!!!! Are you bleeping kidding me???!!!! I have seen people get more time for theft or drug use/sales!!! Now this is just my opinion, but to me rape is right up there with murder. No wonder so many people chance it and do this crime!!! What’s six years compared to the sick pleasure they get out of it!!!!!
Mr Know it all…..
Do you have a wife? Do you believe in equality?
Since when (or at least the last 20 yrs) does a husband ALLOW anything. So you think Coach Woods kept his wife in a Cellar and only allowed to speak and attend events at his will?
You really need to find a hobby….In the real world people make there own decisions, and usually are not harnessed to pre 1900s mentality that the wifey should be kept quiet without the right to vote.
Well first of all I basically take issue with, “let his wife” comment and you are not starting out very well. However, if the coaches wife was sitting by Todd as he was fighting a restraining order that speaks volumes about her character and why I have heard some people lack respect for Mr Woods in this whole matter.
If Todd wanted to attend Easter services, the choice of which service to attend should be up to the young girl, not Todd. I have to admit I am only speak of rummors so another will have to jump in but I was told that the church mostly took sides with the Phelps’ because of his wife and they almost damaged the criminal case by not keeping conficences of the victim and her family. This is reprehensible to me.
I don’t agree or disagree but the truth should be written. The Minster had 2 services on Easter Sunday and The Phelps requested to attend one. Therefore he asked the girl to not attend the service The Phelps Requested.
I am also wondering why is everyone attacking this minster and no one attacks the fact Mr Woods let his wife sit with Todd Phelps as he was fighting the restraining order. AFTER ALL FAIR IS FAIR…
I am trying to figure out this 52 year old creepy perv. Todd, WTF were you ever thinking that you could KISS her and then down the road take her virginity. You have daughters and a wife…put yourself in their shoes…or can you even begin to think with your real brain instead of the one below your belt. You are a sorry sap…you took advantage of her…she was 16. SIXTEEN PAL…..HOW OLD ARE YOU? Now that you are guilty as charged, you’re going to be scared out of your mind as big inmate brother takes your male ‘virginity’…I actually learned a new word on this site, “chimos”…and they will know your crime and conviction. I can only imagine your first time with one!@$%&*(^(&)(*) ouch or ooooh ?woohoot
I just hope both sides will be able to move on and have some type of “normal” life after all of this, especially with “TODD” behind bars so he cant victimize anyone else. Good Job Lewis County Sheriff’s Office!!