Search the Community

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Update, Tuesday evening: Middletown Police Chief R. Craig Weber announced an arrest in this case. Arrested on Tuesday is Natalee A. Hamilton, 34, of Middletown. Hamilton is charged with four counts of criminal mischief, three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, and one count of resisting arrest. As of Tuesday evening, she is at the Monmouth County Jail in Freehold. "This series of crimes committed against houses of worship is deeply disturbing, especially as it occurred during the pandemic when so many people have relied upon their faith for comfort and support in these very difficult times," said Chief Weber. "I would like to acknowledge and commend our Detective Bureau for their dedication and outstanding investigative efforts in identifying and apprehending the individual responsible for these crimes." Middletown Police say a number of churches in the Township have been vandalized this summer, and the same suspect, a woman, is thought to be behind all the crimes. Churches that have been targeted include Westminster Presbyterian Church, at 94 Tindall Road, New Monmouth Baptist Church at 4 Cherry Tree Farm Road and Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 743 Leonardville Road. https://patch.com/new-jersey/middletown-nj/woman-vandalizing-multiple-middletown-churches-police-say

On a very special behind-the-scenes tour on March 9th, our Untapped New York Insiders will get to discover Panorama, the iconic former Jehovah’s Witnesses’ headquarters in Brooklyn Heights. In the years since the closing of Watchtower, the global architecture, design, and planning firm Gensler has been transforming the complex into a dynamic new mixed-use campus. Situated at the heart of the Brooklyn waterfront, Panorama also has a brand new sign: a large 15-foot “WELCOME” sign replaced the famous Watchtower sign that once loomed over the East River. Read more: https://untappedcities.com/2020/02/24/take-a-tour-inside-panorama-the-former-jehovahs-witnesses-watchtower-complex/

Police this week released new details about what they’re calling the attempted murder of a Jehovah’s Witnesses member, who was shot in the parking lot of her Gastonia church. A $2,500 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the Jan. 15 shooting. Part of the reward money, $1,500, was contributed by the woman’s family and another $1,000 comes from Crime Stoppers of Gaston County. In releasing new details, police said the woman had left a meeting at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on David Park Road and was in her car in the church parking lot when someone “walked up, fired two shots at her and she was hit.” Several other members who were outside during the shooting scrambled to safety in the congregation‘s Kingdom Hall, joining other worshipers who “sheltered in place,” Elder John Wray told The Charlotte Observer at the time. The woman was treated for minor injuries at CaroMont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, police said. She was back home later that week but was still in a bit of pain, according to Wray. Police ask anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article240184846.html

FARGO, N.D. (KVLY) A south Fargo man took to the Nextdoor app after he says a woman claiming to be a Jehovah's Witness knocked on his apartment door Sunday night. It all happened in the 2300 block of 30 1/2 Ave. S. The man didn't want to talk with us on camera today, but he tells our reporter the woman claimed her name was Stephanie, and that she wanted to share the word of God. The man says when he looked through his peephole he saw the woman had empty hands. The man says he didn't open the door as he didn't know how she got in his building without buzzing for access, and didn't know if she actually was part of the religion or not. He says after lingering outside his door for about 10 minutes, the woman left. And while door knocking is no unfamiliar task for the Jehovah's Witness, it wasn't something members were doing last night. Fargo Jehovah's Witness member, Guy Howie says it's unusual to find a member at your door without an iPad, meeting invitation or bible reading in their hands. He also says members usually travel in twos when knocking through neighborhoods. Howie says Jehovah's Witnesses don't go into secure buildings unless they're buzzed in. He says if one does end up at your apartment door, you'll see or hear other members on your floor trying your neighbors as well. With motives unknown, Howie says an incident like this is concerning, but says it's not the first time he's heard something like this happening. He says Jehovah's Witnesses are not dishonest people and only come to your door to share a message of good news. Howie added members of the religion will never ask you for money. Fargo Police say they haven't heard of any incidents like this recently, but they also urge you to report any suspicious activity by calling dispatch at 701-451-7660. Read more: https://www.valleynewslive.com/content/news/Man-warns-of-possible-Jehovahs-Witness-impostor-door-knocking-in-south-Fargo-567144561.html

Cheryl Pitts was having trouble breathing, could barely walk and her skin was turning gray. She needed heart surgery, but her choice of hospitals was limited. A Jehovah’s Witness, Pitts couldn’t accept a blood transfusions or other treatment with blood products because of her religious beliefs. In need of a bloodless surgery, the 64-year-old Portsmouth woman decided to go to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center — one of seven Ohio hospitals that offer blood alternative solutions to adults. “I just can’t handle the thought of having to take blood,” Pitts said. “Even before I became a Jehovah’s Witness, I would not take blood.” She didn’t trust receiving blood because of the possible complications that come with blood transfusions. Blood transfusions replace blood that is lost through surgery or injury or if a person’s body is not making blood properly. Though generally considered safe, there is some risk of complications and allergic reactions, according to the Mayo Clinic. In central Ohio, only Grant Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital have a blood conservation program that uses methods to limit blood loss during surgery and provides blood alternatives to people who don’t want to do transfusions for religious reasons or safety concerns. Read more: https://www.record-courier.com/news/20200120/grant-medical-center-nationwide-childrens-offer-bloodless-surgery-to-jehovahs-witnesses

On Tuesday, we asked ex-JW activist Lloyd Evans about the Jehovah’s Witness view on climate change, since it’s an organization so centered around the idea of global catastrophe. Lloyd explained that because the planet was in Jehovah’s hands, Witnesses tended not to be concerned about environmental issues. We then received a rebuttal from Rob, a Witness who disagreed, and we’re very happy to publish his message to us, with his permission… The main point I am rebutting is this quote from Lloyd: “Jehovah’s Witnesses mostly have a very laid back approach to environmental concerns. They point to issues like global warming and damage to the environment as evidence that humans are incapable of ruling themselves….” Jehovah’s Witnesses, in fact, do have an active interest in environment, and encourage members to take action to reduce the negative affects we have on the environment. Consider one of our journals, the Awake! magazine, from 2007: The Bible assures us that every trace of the damage caused by man will be undone when God ‘makes all things new.’ (Revelation 21:5) However, we should not conclude that since God will in time restore the earth, our actions now do not matter. They do! That article further states that we are not indifferent to the earth’s plight: Jehovah God made the earth to be a gardenlike home for mankind. He pronounced all of his work to be “very good” and assigned man “to cultivate [the earth] and to take care of it.” (Genesis 1:28, 31; 2:15) How does God feel about earth’s present condition? Clearly, he is deeply offended by man’s mismanagement, for Revelation 11:18 foretells that he will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” So we should not be indifferent to the earth’s plight. Lastly, steps are given in this same article that we can or should take, to reduce the negative impact on our environment. It is proper, though, for us to consider the environmental impact of our choices in such areas as household purchases, transportation, and recreation. For example, some choose to purchase products that have been produced or that operate in ways that minimize damage to the environment. Others strive to reduce their share in activities that create pollution or unduly consume natural resources. This does not represent disinterest in climate change, or feigning interest in it. This is actively discussing ways to minimize our own environmental impact. So yes, Jehovah’s Witnesses do in fact believe that God will undo climate change once and for all, but this does not mean we are indifferent or apathetic, as the article above shows. Lastly, Jehovah’s Witnesses’ buildings received the highest possible rating of Four Green Globes for all seven of their buildings, for environmental efficiency. Really, the best way to show concern for our planet is to reduce the impact we have. Jehovah’s Witnesses build so to have the least negative impact as they possibly can. So whoever is suggesting that Jehovah’s Witnesses are apathetic to our environmental concerns is ignoring what’s in print, and how we construct our buildings, and the recognition we receive from authoritative environmental agencies. https://tonyortega.org/2019/03/21/a-witness-responds-to-lloyd-evans-about-jw-and-global-climate-change/

Butterbean the French bulldog was the focus of a case of disorderly conduct in Marathon. MARATHON, Fla. - Man's best friend also proved to be his best accomplice in the case of a Marathon man and his French bulldog Butterbean. Edgar Wallis Jones, 59, was walking his dog on Sombrero Beach Feb. 6 at 11:30 a.m. Jones approached a Jehovah's Witness who had a cart filled with religious literature set up near a pavilion. He told the man that he was not allowed on city or state property with religious books. The victim responded that he had a permit and that they were free. https://www.nbc-2.com/story/40031377/dog-bites-religious-books-on-south-florida-beach-but-his-owner-gets-put-in-the-dog-house

BY: MICHAEL YOUNG 7:30 AM ON JUNE 15, 2019 Excavation and the insertion of pilings have commenced for a new 26-story, mixed-use structure at 30 Front Street in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Hill West Architects will be responsible for the design, while Fortis Property Group is the developer of the 360,000-square-foot project that will stand 270 feet tall and come with 74 apartments, averaging 2,400 square feet apiece. Photos were taken by Tectonic and show the current state of construction. The site was previously occupied by a parking lot for the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ former headquarters, famous for its prominent Watchtower sign. The plot at 30 Front Street was the last piece of real estate the group sold off, which concluded a seven-year process of relocating to Warwick, New York. Read more: https://newyorkyimby.com/2019/06/excavation-begins-for-26-story-tower-at-30-front-street-in-dumbo-brooklyn.html

The annual event is expected to bring in more than $3 million in revenues for local businesses WRITTEN BY HOLLY HERMAN READING, PA — By midmorning Saturday, more than 500 volunteers checked in to the Santander Arena, scrubbing the arena to make it spotless for the 14th annual Jehovah's Witness annual conference in downtown Reading. “We love coming to Reading,” Kelvin Wilson, convention spokesman said, walking through the arena, greeting volunteers. “It's beautiful here. We will be worshipping here for the next three weekends. We stay in the hotels and dine in the restaurants. Wilson said members have booked more than 2,500 hotel nights for the event, bringing an estimated $3 million in revenues for downtown businesses. “We are getting ready to worship here,” Wilson said, noting the volunteers are also cleaning the parking garage for the arena and spruced up the landscaping. By the day's end, more than 800 volunteers from 120 congregations throughout southeastern and central Pennsylvania cleansed the stadium to prepare for three weekends of family festivities and worship. This year's convention theme, “Love Never Fails,” focuses on loving thy neighbors. Read more: https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/more-than-800-volunteers-scrub-santander-arena-for-jehovahs-witness-convention

La policía de Houston arrestó a un hombre que se presume está detrás de la desaparicón de no menos 31 persona en la década pasada. Ivan Fedorovitch Yanukovych, de 56 años de edad, podrías ser vinculado a un número de misteriosas desapariciones en el área, creen los oficiales. Yanukovych fue interrogado por la policía después de que los vecinos se quejaran de que él estaba usando una sierra la noche pasada, y reportaron que el hombre estaba «cubierto de sangre.» Cuando la policía llegó a la escena, Yanukovich fue encontrado descuartizando un cuerpo en su garage y preparando lo que los oficiales describieron como «una gran cantidad de carne molida» mezclada con «especias aromáticas.» http://presencianoticias.com/2019/05/28/canibal-se-comio-23-repartidores-de-pizza-y-6-testigos-de-jehova-en-la-ultima-decada/

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A state agency has determined that the Montana Women's Prison discriminated against an inmate on the basis of religion. The Billings Gazette reports that the Montana Human Rights Bureau found in February there was "reasonable cause" to believe there was discrimination against Mayson Simmons. Simmons' complaint filed in August says the Department of Corrections and the prison in Billings violated the law by allowing inmates of other religious faiths to use a prison chapel for services while denying access to Jehovah's Witnesses. The bureau says it did not find sufficient evidence to back up Simmons' claims she was denied a Jehovah's Witness bible or that she was discriminated against based on her gender and a disability. Prison officials deny any discrimination occurred. The case will proceed to a formal hearing. https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Montana-agency-finds-religious-discrimination-13776486.php

Local and federal authorities are investigating a string of acts of violence against Jehovah’s Witness houses of worship in Washington state ― including multiple suspected arsons. The latest attack gutted a Jehovah’s Witness building in the city of Lacey, near Olympia. The fire reportedly broke out . No injuries were reported, but the building was deemed a total loss, . The Seattle division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has . BREAKING: A fire has destroyed the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Lacey. This is the SIXTH attack on Kingdom Hall’s in Thurston County since March. Five fires, one shooting. — Alex Rozier () The fire in Lacey brings the total number of attacks in Thurston County against Jehovah’s Witness centers, called kingdom halls, to six this year, . In March, arson caused minor damage at kingdom halls in Tumwater and Olympia. Four months later, a blaze worship space. In August investigators discovered a fake bomb at a kingdom hall in Yelm, . The incident was determined to be an attempted arson. In May someone shot about 35 rifle rounds into the Yelm center, causing more than $10,000 in property damage, . Jason Chudy, a spokesperson for the ATF’s Seattle field division, told HuffPost that the organization believes all the incidents could be related. The attacks were probably “meant to send a message,” he said. “We believe that the suspect or suspects has or have a grievance related to the Jehovah’s Witness community, or about another issue they think is important,” he wrote in an email. “Before these fires, the person or persons involved are likely to have shared these strong feelings with others through comments and conversation.” Chudy said the ATF also believes that the suspect or suspects may have exhibited changes in behavior in the hours, days, weeks or months since the fires, including unexplained injuries, changes in normal routines and dramatic and unexplained altering of physical appearance. The ATF is investigating the incidents, along with Thurston County police. Investigators are offering $36,000 in combined rewards for information that leads to a suspect’s capture. During a press conference on Friday, Thurston County Sheriff John Snaza urged the public to call in with tips. “It makes you feel really ill,” . “How frustrating is it that people who find a solemn place of worship, and now it’s being destroyed?” Dan Woollett, a member of the kingdom hall in Lacey, that the important thing is that congregants are safe. “It’s just a building ― buildings can be replaced,” he said. “Things can be redone. So we just move ahead with the ministry that we have that we’re involved with.” https://herdongazette.com/cops-investigate-attacks-against-jehovahs-witness-buildings-in-washington-state/320121/

EATONVILLE, WA - Pierce County firefighters battled a 15-acre brush fire near Eatonville on Wednesday night, one of dozens of fires that have broken out across Western Washington amid record-breaking March heat. Wednesday's fire near Eatonville burned near the intersection of SR 702 and Jackson Road, which is just west of SR 7 near the Jehovah's Witnesses temple. "Firefighters urge residents on Jackson Road to evacuate as this fire continues to grow," the Pierce County Firefighters union wrote on Twitter. Washington State Patrol officers were heading to the scene to assist with traffic control. On top warm temperatures, strong breezes have blown steadily since Monday, feeding and spreading fires. https://patch.com/washington/across-wa/large-brush-fire-threatens-rural-pierce-county-residents

Were you or a loved one sexually abused by Gonzalo Campos, an elder with various Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations in the San Diego area? Legal Support For Alleged Victims Of Gonzalo Campos After admitting to molesting at least 8 children during the 1980s and 1990s, Campos fled to Mexico, evading criminal justice here in California, but some sexual abuse survivors may still be eligible to file suit against the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York. The Watchtower, the national organization for the Jehovah’s Witnesses, has already settled at least two lawsuits involving Campos’ misconduct. In March 2018, the organization came to terms with two of Campos’ victims, men who claimed the elder abused them decades ago. Neither the Watchtower nor the plaintiffs are allowed to disclose details of the settlement. Experienced Attorneys Launch Full Investigation Our compassionate sexual abuse attorneys believe that other victims of Campos may still be able to pursue justice, accountability and compensation by filing a civil lawsuit. We have opened a full investigation into the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society to understand how Campos was allowed to remain around children, even after serious sexual abuse allegations had been filed against him. We understand the powerful storm of emotions that sexual abuse can cause. You may still be struggling to deal with painful feelings of embarrassment and shame, rage or depression. You do not have to go through this alone. Our committed legal team is here to help. You may have powerful legal options. The prospect of stepping forward to report the abuse may seem terrifying, but it can be a powerful step on the road to recovery. You deserve justice. You may also be entitled to financial compensation. Filing a civil lawsuit can help you take control of this terrible situation. The Watchtower should be held accountable. Watchtower Hit By Court Penalty For Withholding Evidence The Watchtower has already been accused of hindering investigations into allegations of child sexual abuse. In the cases involving Gonzalo Campos, the Watchtower was ordered to pay a penalty of $4,000 every day because it refused to turn over internal documents containing information about church leaders who had been accused of child sexual abuse. This was not the first time the Watchtower failed to stand up for sexual abuse survivors. Critics say Gonzalo Campos was allowed to abuse at least 8 children in San Diego between 1982 and 1995, even though the Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations he belonged to were aware of his misconduct. After abusing a 7-year-old in 1994, Campos was removed from the Church, but he was reinstated by church elders who claimed he was a changed man. In their lawsuits, two men who said they had been abused by Campos accused church elders of knowing about Campos’ misconduct as early as 1982, but covering it up and allowing him to continue working with young children. We believe the victims. https://abuseguardian.com/jehovahs-witnesses-gonzalo-campos/

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said this afternoon search and rescue efforts today in the Beauregard community have so far not revealed any more fatalities from Sunday’s tornadoes, with the death toll standing at 23, but Jones said “dozens” of people are still unaccounted for. “The search teams have worked the areas of the most significant damage,” Jones said. "I am pleased to report we have not recovered any further victims from the areas that we have initially searched. But I want to offer a caveat with that, that we have not completed our searches." ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The tornado ravaged a small neighborhood in Smiths Station on Lee County 430, where Greg Molinari and many of his neighbors sorted through the damage on Monday morning. Molinari was upbeat even though his home was destroyed. He said he and his wife, Susan, survived the storm because they took his daughter-in-law’s advice and put large cooking pots over their heads as makeshift helmets. “The sirens were going off quite frequently and we said we better take this very seriously. That was about three o’clock,” Molinari said. “And my wife and I received a text from my daughter in law. She said get in the bathroom and put pots on your head. Well, the bathroom wasn’t a great idea because it’s an exterior wall. But we went in the hallway, which is a small, confined area here. And we did put big cooking pots over our head. Saved our lives. The ceiling crashed in on us.” The tornado ripped the roof off Molinari’s house. “And we were trapped in there,” Molinari said. “We couldn’t get out even though we were OK. Our neighbor across the street here, he came screaming over, ‘Is anybody in there? Is anybody in there?’ We said, ‘Yeah. We can’t get out.’ He dug us out.” Molinari said he and his wife then rode out the storm at the neighbor’s house. “Him and his wife, his daughter and his dog and us, we all hunkered down in there," Molinari said. Molinari said another neighbor he didn’t know helped in their rescue. Molinari said he had reason to be positive despite the disaster. “We have a very strong faith," Molinari said. "We’re Jehovah’s Witnesses. Our God Jehovah takes care of us. We believe he helped to protect us. He’ll also help us recover from all this.” Read more: https://www.al.com/news/2019/03/lee-county-alabama-tornadoes-many-are-still-missing.html

Matrimonio testigo de Jehová en Tulsa solicitamos apartamento en renta de dos cuartos para mudarnos mi esposa y yo, somos testigos de Jehova de Venezuela y podemos pagar 600 dolares mensuales. https://elclasificado.com/miami/busco-rentar/matrimonio-testigo-de-jehova-tulsa-16000481

Legislators ‘need to stopÂ’ working for institutions Dave Kohler, of Allentown, was abused by an ordained minister in the JehovahÂ’s Witnesses in November 1965. He was 9 years old. When Kohler was 17, his abuser told him to never talk about the abuse again. “So I obeyed and kept my mouth shut,” Kohler said. HeÂ’s been coming to Harrisburg for about five years to show his support for statute of limitations reform. “Individuals vote them in, and then they work for institutions,” Kohler said of the state legislators. “That needs to stop.” If reform is passed that would allow Kohler the opportunity to sue his abuser, Kohler said he knows what he would do with any money he could collect. “I will hopefully be able to afford therapy,” he said. Dave Kohler, who said he was abused by an ordained minister in the Jehovah's Witnesses in Kutztown and Emmaus, talks about his experience, during the demonstration for statute of limitations reform to the state's childhood sexual abuse laws at the state capitol in Harrisburg on Monday. (Photo: Paul Kuehnel, York Daily Record) https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2018/10/15/child-sex-abuse-survivors-demand-reforms-states-statute-laws-harrisburg-senate/1618630002/

Los testigos de Jehová deben pagar $ 35 millones a una mujer que dice que la organización nacional de la iglesia ordenó a los miembros del clero de Montana no denunciar su abuso sexual como un niño a manos de un miembro de la congregación, dictaminó un jurado en un veredicto. Un juez debe revisar la pena y la organización nacional de testigos de Jehová, la Sociedad Watchtower Bible and Tract de Nueva York, planea apelar. Aún así, los abogados de la mujer de 21 años de edad dicen que el veredicto del miércoles envía un mensaje a la iglesia para informar el abuso infantil a autoridades externas. "Afortunadamente ese mensaje es lo suficientemente fuerte como para que la organización cambie sus prioridades de manera que comiencen a priorizar la seguridad de los niños para que no se abuse de otros niños en el futuro", dijo el abogado Neil Smith el jueves. La Oficina de Información Pública en la Sede Mundial de los Testigos de Jehová respondió al veredicto con una declaración sin firma. "Los testigos de Jehová aborrecen el abuso infantil y se esfuerzan por proteger a los niños de tales actos. La Watchtower está buscando una revisión de apelación", dijo. El caso de Montana es uno de los muchos que se han presentado en todo el país durante la última década en los que se alega que los testigos de Jehová administraron mal o encubrieron el abuso sexual de menores. El caso que provocó el fallo del miércoles involucró a dos mujeres, ahora de 32 y 21 años, que alegan que un miembro de su familia abusó sexualmente de ellas y de un tercer miembro de la familia en Thompson Falls en los años 1990 y 2000. Las mujeres dicen que denunciaron el abuso a los ancianos de la iglesia, quienes manejaron el asunto internamente después de consultar con la organización nacional. Los ancianos expulsaron al abusador de la congregación en 2004 y luego lo reinstalaron el año siguiente, según la demanda, y el abuso de la niña que ahora tiene 21 años continuó. La demanda alegaba que las organizaciones locales y nacionales de testigos de Jehová fueron negligentes y violaron una ley de Montana que les obliga a denunciar abusos a autoridades externas. "Su sede nacional, llamada Watchtower, controlan cuándo y si alguien dentro de su organización informa abuso infantil", dijo Smith. "La Watchtower instruyó a todos los involucrados que no informaran el asunto a las autoridades". Los abogados de los Testigos de Jehová dijeron en documentos judiciales que la ley de Montana exime a los ancianos de informar "procedimientos eclesiásticos internos sobre el grave pecado de un miembro de una congregación". La iglesia también sostuvo que la organización nacional no es responsable de las acciones de los ancianos de Thompson Falls, y que ha pasado demasiado tiempo para que las mujeres demanden. El jurado otorgó a la mujer de 21 años $ 4 millones por sus lesiones, más $ 30 millones en daños punitivos contra Watchtower y $ 1 millón en daños punitivos contra la Congregación Cristiana de los Testigos de Jehová, otra corporación de testigos de Jehová que se comunica con las congregaciones de los Estados Unidos. El premio monetario debe ser revisado por el juez de primera instancia y podría reducirse. Una ley de Montana limita los premios de daños punitivos al 3 por ciento del valor neto de una compañía o $ 10 millones, lo que sea menor. Una demanda legal a esa ley está pendiente ante la Corte Suprema de Montana. El jurado desestimó las afirmaciones de que la iglesia debería haber denunciado el abuso de la segunda mujer por parte del mismo miembro de la congregación. Los miembros del jurado concluyeron que los ancianos de la iglesia no recibieron el aviso del abuso de la mujer de 32 años de edad en 1998, como ella dijo, y por lo tanto no tenían el deber de informar a las autoridades. El tercer miembro de la familia que alegó abuso no fue demandante en la demanda. The Associated Press generalmente no nombra a personas que dicen ser víctimas de un delito sexual. http://www.antena305.com/note/testigos-de-jehovas-tienen-que-pagar-35-millones-por-no-denunciar-abuso-sexual-a-menores

Mitchell es una republicana registrado que ha dado conferencias en EEUU sobre investigaciones de agresiones sexuales. Pero su carrera en la oficina del fiscal del condado de Maricopa no ha estado sin controversia: fue criticada en 2011 cuando un miembro de los Testigos de Jehová que admitió haber abusado sexualmente de un adolescente varias veces sólo pasó seis meses en la cárcel del condado. Y en 2003, su oficina fue criticada después de que se negó a enjuiciar al esposo de una mujer tetrapléjica que lo acusó de abuso doméstico. En ese momento, Mitchell le dijo a Phoenix New Times que cuestionó la credibilidad de la mujer después de negar haber sido abusada y decir que sí lo fue luego que solicitó el divorcio. En una declaración, el abogado del condado de Maricopa, Bill Montgomery, calmó las dudas sobre si Mitchell era la persona adecuada para la audiencia del jueves. "El pueblo estadounidense puede estar seguro de que la experiencia de Rachel Mitchell como fiscal concienzuda, entrenada para buscar justicia, proteger a las víctimas y buscar la verdad ayudará al Comité Judicial del Senado a realizar su importante tarea", dijo. https://www.telemundo.com/noticias/2018/09/26/quien-es-rachel-mitchell-la-fiscal-elegida-para-interrogar-la-acusadora-de