Pastor Accused of Sexual Abuse Commits Suicide before Trial

Carrie Dedrick | Updated: May 15, 2014

Pastor Accused of Sexual Abuse Commits Suicide before Trial

Scott Sechrist, former pastor of First Baptist Church in Morrisville, PA killed himself on Monday, one week before facing a trial for sexual assault.

Sechrist was charged with 20 counts of involuntary deviant sexual intercourse, 10 counts of aggravated indecent assault and 10 counts of statutory rape reports Christian Today. The illegal sex acts began in 1989 when Sechrist sexually abused a 9-year-old girl; the abuse of the girl ended in 1992.

The woman, now 34 reported the rape which occurred during prayer meetings in 1992. She rescinded her report out of fear and confusion.

“The Bible says it’s wrong, but it was happening,” she said.

Sechrist left a suicide note claiming his innocence before he shot himself.

The prosecution denied his innocence. Attorney Jennifer Schorn said that Sechrist had already admitted to the crimes in a recorded statement which was played at the March hearing.

“I thought about that for years,” Sechrist said in the recording. “I babysat my nieces. I changed diapers. I don’t know why it was you...I don’t know. I can’t answer that.”

 

Publication date: May 15, 2014



Pastor Accused of Sexual Abuse Commits Suicide before Trial