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(New news ....) A MONTANA Judge Orders Jehovah’s Witnesses to Turn Over Internal Documents Related to Childhood Sexual Abuse April 12, 2018 On April 5, 2018, Judge James Manley of Sanders County, Montana ordered the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious organization to produce documents and testimony related to internal reports and investigations into the childhood sexual abuse of NPR’s two clients. In this case, the two Plaintiffs were sexually abused as children by a member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Elders in the local Jehovah’s Witness congregation in Thompson Falls, Montana were aware of the abuse and failed to report it to the police, choosing instead to handle the reports and investigations internally pursuant to Jehovah’s Witness guidelines. Their decision not to report the abuse to authorities allowed the perpetrator to remain in the congregation and continue to abuse one of the Plaintiffs. Throughout this case, and similar childhood sexual abuse cases across the country, the Jehovah’s Witnesses have refused to produce documents related to their internal handling of reports of sexual abuse and related investigations and disciplinary actions claiming that the information is protected by the clergy-penitent privilege and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Through briefing to the court, NPR convinced the Judge that Defendants’ privilege claims were unsupported and improper under the law. The Court agreed that Defendants could not blanket everything related to their investigations in secrecy and that they must turn it over to the Plaintiffs. Often, this is the very evidence that can win or lose a case like this against a religious institution. The case of Nunez, et al. v. Watchtower Bible & Tract Society of New York, et al. is set to go to trial in September of 2018. The plaintiffs in this case are represented by NPR partner D. Neil Smith and associate Ross E. Leonoudakis. ---------------------------------------------------------- A Jury of 12 held in public view ... or a tribunal of three held in complete secrecy. Which would YOU choose, to get Justice?

KBZK.com | Continuous News | Bozeman, Montana The court case between the Belgrade Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and the Montana Department of Transportation took another step forward today in the matter of widening Jackrabbit lane. ---------------------- Anyone on here live near this congregation?

Jehovah’s Witnesses from around the region will gather in Billings for their annual three-day regional conventions. An estimated 3,500 adults and children from eastern Montana, the western part of North and South Dakota and northern Wyoming will meet Friday through Sunday in the Rimrock Arena at MetraPark. The public is invited to attend any of the meetings at the free gathering. “It really is the focal point where you get to strengthen yourself,” said local media spokesman Joe Kurkowski. “It’s good biblical counsel.” This year’s theme is “Remain Loyal to Jehovah!” “It's all predicated on trying to build our loyalty with family, with friends and, most importantly, with God," Kurkowski said. “And then there’s the opportunity to meet with friends from a four-state area, some of them who you only see once a year.” The convention is one of 446 that meet in 120 cities in the United States and a total of 5,000 in 92 countries around the world scheduled through January 2017. The Billings convention will feature 49 presentations, 35 video segments and two short films, all focused on the idea of “loyalty.” In addition to the spiritual benefits the Jehovah’s Witnesses receive, they also benefit the Billings economy while they’re in town, Kurkowski said. And they appreciate the service they get. “That’s what helps bring us back to Billings every year, the cooperation we receive from the Metra and the motels and eating establishments,” he said. In the weeks leading up to the convention, members also go door to door, dropping off invitations to homes in Billings and the surrounding towns. It’s a way to make individuals feel welcome to attend the meetings. “A convention is a good time to see what Jehovah’s Witnesses are and do, to see what we’re all about,” Kurkowski said. Source: http://billingsgazette.com/news/local/jehovah-s-witnesses-in-billings-for--day-convention/article_3438a66c-8a11-5d40-8e76-0ad9b6c963de.html