(2013-11-11)
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In July, Totten plead guilty to felony sexual abuse by a guardian or custodian, and the state moved to dismiss other pending charges.
Two witnesses were called to testify, but were not present in the courtroom. Special prosecutor Brian Parsons said it hasn't been easy on the victims.
"They have been asked to take a stand in this case. They have been asked to cooperate with police, they have subjected themselves to the criticism of the public, they have been asked to inject themselves into this criminal justice process, and they have done all that has been asked of them. They, when called upon, took a stand."
"Law enforcement in this county has a similar obligation, to stand up for what is good, what is right. Historically, in this county, people have not stood up. They have not stood up against what's wrong, what's inappropriate; what's illegal and impermissible. They've turned their heads and looked the other way. That has created an environment, in this jurisdiction, of mistrust between the public and law enforcement. People have lost confidence in law enforcement."
"Mr. Totten had a chance to take that same stand. Make those same decisions. When faced with temptation, when faced with the choice between right and wrong, good and evil, upholding your duty to protect and serve, Mr. Totten chose the opposite path. He chose the path of temptation and exploitation of young women in this county. He, more than anyone else, has caused this split, this rift, this mistrust."
Totten's defense attorney Michael Callaghan said to blame the entire justice system is an exaggeration. Callaghan told the court he strictly wanted to address the single charge against Totten, not the problems of Pocahontas County.
Callaghan requested alternative sentencing for Totten. He said no one lives near Totten's residence, and he requested a prolonged term of home confinement for Totten. Callaghan told the court that Totten had developed a business plan for a home-based graphics business, and that he had a family to take care of.
Totten addressed the court and said that he had an 11 year old son he was raising, and that if given the opportunity, he would rededicate his life to his family and God.
Judge James Rowe worked with Totten when he was employed as a deputy. Rowe said he always thought Totten was ambitious and struck him as an individual that wanted to do right.
Rowe went on to say he was disgusted and disturbed when reviewing the details of the case, and said Totten caused untold damage to the community. Rowe said he did feel sympathetic to the Totten family, but if it hadn't been for the investigation, he believed the sexual misconduct would still be going on.
Rowe said the public deserves Totten's time in jail.
what about the ones he don't claim. I know of at least one.
ReplyDeletePOOR Brad he wanted home confinement for his charged 65 sex felony's so he could care for his family and run a business from home.
ReplyDeleteDream on big boy, you can earn .25 cents a hour working in the laundry all day doing hot dirty manual labor for the next 10 years.
She will find another to care for her and your kids and kiss her good night, hopefully you will be just as lucky.
The Road Runner...