Traditional Christian Family Values

A Laporte County family says their child was a victim in a church sex scandal and fear his biggest nightmare could become a reality.

24 year-old Mark Comford pleaded guilty to two charges, but may be clear of any punishment regarding his involvement with this now, 14 year-old, John Doe.

As we’ve told you before Comford has been in jail since 2007 on charges he had sexual contact with a 12 year old boy.

Then, three more victims were involved in the case.

Comford pleaded guilty in court September 5th.

On that day, Doe’s family learned about a possible plea bargain in this case, they were devastated. Now, they’re disgusted.

If accepted by the judge, the plea agreement would convict Comford of two of the nine original counts of child molesting.

It wasn’t until this Monday, that the family and their legal advocate were made aware that Comford could be cleared of any punishment involving Doe.

It’s painful for Doe’s mother to think about the grandson of Faith Baptist Church’s pastor pleading guilty to molestation charges, but it’s impossible for her to imagine him not paying for what she claims he put her son through.

She says, “I was speechless. I didn’t even know what to say.”

When she called a victim’s advocate to say John Doe wanted to speak at Mark Comford’s hearing on October 17th, she cried. She felt any sign of hope was ripped away from her and it was beyond her control.

She says, “This man isn’t even being charged for what he did to my child, for what he’s put my child through. His life has changed forever.

Doe’s lawyer in a civil suit brought against the church and a family advocate, Doug Bernacchi, immediately wrote a letter to Prosecutor, Jennifer Evans, asking her to revoke the plea or propose an amended plea bargain.

Bernacchi says, “The perpetrator isn’t going to serve anytime for the damage he’s done to this boy. The plea bargain waves all allegations by this boy.”

Bernacchi says it’s unfair, unjust that John Doe is serving time because of the suffering Comford has put him through.

Bernacchi says, “The victim is in the Madison Center being treated in an inpatient program that may take up two years. It should start from scratch and prosecute the defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”

Doe’s mother says Jennifer Evans has never given her son the opportunity to state his case.

She says, “They’ve never heard from him or contacted his counselors to see if he was okay to give a statement. She had promised him before even when he went to the police station to give a statement that she would make sure this man paid for what he did to him.”

Doe’s family showed us a copy of the letter Bernacchi sent to Evans Tuesday.

We called her office twice to see if received it. We were told she wasn’t in the office Tuesday. We’ll let you know if and when she decides to comment or if there are any further developments.

If the judge accepts the plea bargain on the table, it would mean a 20 year prison sentence with eight years probation. Comford has already served 14 months and Doe’s mother fears with good behavior it could end up being just about 7-8 more years.

original article here