Roberson defense zeroes in on Perez.

By Michael McCluskey
World staff writer

WENATCHEE - Judging by the first day of testimony in the child rape and molestation trial of a Pentecostal preacher and his wife, it’s going to be a long haul for jurors.

The nine-man three-woman panel took every opportunity to stand and stretch as they were guided through often tedious testimony from three law enforcement officials on Monday.

Many in the courtroom stole looks at the clock as it neared the announced 4:30 p.m. quitting time while Douglas County Prosecutor Steve Clem questioned a county sheriff’s detective on each of 44 photographs of the East Wenatchee Pentecostal Church of God submitted as evidence.

The jurors will decide if Roby and Connie Roberson raped and molested children in the basement of the church and in their East Wenatchee home. Roby Roberson is facing four counts of rape and six counts of molestation, allegedly with five children. Connie Roberson has been charged with two counts of rape and five counts of molestation, allegedly with four children. The alleged victims range in age from 5 to 15.

Douglas County chief criminal Detective Robbin Wagg was on the witness stand more than three hours Monday. The cross-examination from defense attorney Robert Van Siclen took all but 40 minutes of that time. Washington State Patrol Detective Sgt. Jeff Sale testified for about 15 minutes about mapping the scene. Douglas County Detective Dave Helvey was on the stand for 45 minutes and was to complete his testimony today.

The defense took aim at Wenatchee police Detective Bob Perez during its questioning of Wagg. The defense has criticized the relationship between Perez and his 11-year-old foster daughter. That girl implicated the Robersons to Perez, who, in turn, notified Douglas County officials. She’s accused more than a dozen adults in Chelan County with similar crimes, and Perez was the lead investigator in most of those cases.

When asked if a Douglas County detective would be allowed to investigate abuse of his own child, Wagg said: “With-in my department, it wouldn’t take place. It would be unwise. Just on the issue of objectivity.”

However, Wagg said, he didn’t have a problem with report Perez prepared and sent to Douglas County.

I know Bob, and it hasn’t been an issue with me,” Wagg said.

The Robersons were arrested based primarily on the report from Perez, on the girl’s disclosure to Douglas County detectives and on a confession from Linda Miller. Wagg said he was unaware that Miller had recanted her confession of sexual abuse at the church. If the situations was reversed, Wagg said, he would have notified Wenatchee police.

Van Siclen attacked the investigators for failing to locate or interview other children or adults present at various time in the church when instance of sexual abuse allegedly occurred. But Wagg said 19 adults and 24 children were interviewed, including eight adults who regularly attended the church.

The defense attorney questioned the detective’s interviewing techniques. He wondered why one alleged victim was allowed to remain in the room while another, her sister, was interviewed. Wagg said the sister, who had already been interview, was brought in only after the witness being questioned had started crying.

Van Siclen also questioned why witness statements weren’t taped.

That’s not how we’re instructed to do thins.” Wagg said. I’m not personally aware of any (law enforcement agency in Washington) that use video or audio tapes.

More than 70 items of evidence were removed from the church and the Roberson home by investigators. Wagg said the State Patrol examination found no semen, and there was nothing mention about other bodily fluids.

Helvey, assisted by Clem, explained a series of slides showing the interior and exterior of the church. The prosecution pointed out a number of photographs showing litter and other items against the exterior of the church.

Clem said the photographs are relevant to show it’s a “poor church,” a point the defense attorneys emphasized during their opening arguments.

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