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* July 23rd…
Rev. Thomas J. Chantry, charged with child molestation, will begin a 13-day trial at the Yavapai County Superior Court in Camp Verde Tuesday, July 24.
Chantry, 47, was indicted in Yavapai County Superior Court on eight counts – five counts of child molestation and three of aggravated assault – for offenses committed in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when he worked at the Miller Valley Baptist Church.
* August 21st…
After two days of deliberations, a jury has found a former pastor accused of multiple counts of child molestation and assault guilty on two of the aggravated assault charges. Jurors determined Thomas Chantry, 47, was not guilty of one child molestation charge and one aggravated assault charge. […]
Yavapai County Deputy Attorney Susan Eazer called Chantry a “sick, twisted pedophile” last week in her closing rebuttal.
Eazer requested the court to change Chantry’s release conditions, citing the hung jury and new evidence she tried to introduce late into the trial.
The evidence concerned a 2004 Illinois police report detailing an incident where Chantry allegedly spanked a child at a school he was teaching at so hard he left bruises. The parents did not end up pursuing charges.
A former Prescott pastor who stood trial less than a month ago on multiple charges of child molestation and abuse faces nine new charges as of Tuesday.
Thomas Chantry, 47, surrendered himself to the Yavapai County Superior Court this week and is being held in the County Jail on a $1 million bond. […]
Charges include four counts of aggravated assault, four counts of child molestation and one count of child abuse. All of these charges occurred between 1998 and 2000, according to the indictment issued by a Yavapai County grand jury Sept. 11.
A Christian teacher and pastor convicted of aggravated assault for severely spanking children in Arizona was accused of doing the same at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights in 2004, though charges were never filed, authorities said.
* Today…
Republican state Rep. Tom Morrison vouched recently for a teacher/pastor convicted of assault and accused of “unspeakable” abuse of children in Arizona. Morrison was a teacher at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights in the early 2000s at the time Thomas Chantry also taught there.
“I found Mr. Chantry to be a man who was professional, courteous, and caring to students, parents, and fellow staff,” Morrison wrote in a letter to court authorities asking for leniency in Chantry’s sentencing. “In the time we worked together, in a variety of settings, he had his students (sic) best interests at heart.” Morrison signed the letter by name and identified himself as the state legislator representing Illinois’ 54th District.
Christian Liberty Academy plays an important role in Morrison’s life. Along with being a 5th grade teacher there for six years, his parents had helped found the school in 1969. Chantry taught there from 2002 to 2006.
Reached by phone, Morrison said, “I stand by what I wrote. I’m not going to talk about anything beyond the brief time we taught together.” He dismissed the media attention to his letter, saying voters have bigger concerns. “They want to talk about property taxes and the fact that they’re making plans to leave the state. Those are the real issues.”
Voters may be talking about something else now, though.
*** UPDATE *** Rep. Morrison…
To clarify, my statement was reflective of a person I worked with, for a brief period of time over 15 years ago. We have not seen nor spoken to each other since then. At no time did I ask for leniency.
What I learned this morning is not reflective of the person that I once knew. These are the most serious allegations and at the time I was unaware of them - and I wholeheartedly condemn them.
Therefore, I am seeking to withdraw my testimony in the letter, so there is no confusion regarding my position in this issue, after learning of these new allegations.
-
He sent a letter on behalf of someone who was facing sentencing for assaulting a child and… he didn’t know?
…Adding… So, let’s think about this for a moment. Rep. Morrison worked at Christian Liberty Academy in Arlington Heights until 2005. The paddling incident at that school, which resulted in a battery report filed with local police, happened in 2004, two years before Morrison left. And the superintendent of the school said the 2004 incident “prompted him to end the school’s long-standing practice of corporal punishment,” according to the Daily Herald.
Seems like he should’ve known something was up long before he wrote that letter to the judge.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:48 am
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“Chistian Liberty Academy” another name for segregated school.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:54 am
“He may be a child abuser but he treated me well” is a hell of a campaign closing argument.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:56 am
I don’t understand why people can’t understand that just because someone is nice to you, doesn’t mean they are nice to everyone else. Also, your position should change with new information.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:56 am
There ought to be a special place in hell for religious figures who abuse the members of their congregation.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 9:58 am
Does this “Christian Liberty Academy” still allow teachers to hit or abuse children? Still in the Dark Ages are we?
Comment by a girl Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:01 am
Stupid is as stupid does. What a stupid letter to write.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:02 am
Huh: there is a special place in hell. Sitting at the right hand of Satan.
Comment by Matts Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:02 am
Morrison; They gave you a way out, all you had to say, was “in light of the new information, I withdraw my letter of support” Instead you double down. Not a smart move at the end of a campaign. This will cost you.
Comment by Retired Educator Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:03 am
People may want to talk about property taxes and leaving the state in your mind but that’s the old reality.
The new reality they’re definitely going to be talking about you writing for leniency for a man who abused children in his care
The Illinois Family Institute was pretty interested in protecting Morrison when McCann called him a RINO, will they take back their endorsement now that they know he personally stands up for child abusers?
Comment by DuPage Bard Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:12 am
–“In the time we worked together, in a variety of settings, he had his students (sic) best interests at heart.”–
A grown man who gets off from beating on children? What’s the matter with you?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:13 am
Of course it is the most righteous screamer of morality that defends those who attack the most defenseless. Rep. Morrison should resign immediately.
Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:19 am
=== Voters may be talking about something else now, though. ===
Another scandal?
Comment by Powdered Whig Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:21 am
Morrison is insane to protect and praise a child molester.
Comment by DeseDemDose Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:23 am
Who does Morrison think he is, a Catholic bishop? You can’t give child predators any cover at all, they need to be exposed and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:38 am
Morrison’s got some ’splain to do.
Comment by Boone's is Back Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 10:47 am
Same person who thinks transgender people in the bathroom are a threat.
Comment by ste_wit a v_en Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:50 am
I think he would welcome the RINO mail now considering what the DPI mail is going to do to him.
Comment by Peoples Republic of Oak Park Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 11:56 am
== he had his students (sic) best interests at heart.==
Really? A guy convicted of assaulting children. A guy who once again faces charges of child molestation, assault and abuse. And you say he has the best interests of children at heart? Remind me to never let you recommend someone to watch my kids.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:01 pm
The Daily Herald, the local paper for the Northwest suburbs, has already come out and endorsed Morrison. I wonder if this revelation even makes the paper.
Comment by No Longer A Lurker Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:31 pm
–Same person who thinks transgender people in the bathroom are a threat.–
Begs the question: Is Morrison ok with transgender people beating on other peoples’ kids in the bathroom?
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:41 pm
- a girl - Last time I checked (admittedly, 9-10 years ago), corporal punishment was still legal in Illinois and teachers stand in loco parentis - meaning, they have the legal right to strike children that they teach. The school’s defense of their policy would probably be that they comply with all Illinois laws… it’s disgraceful. But, technically, legal.
Comment by Notorious RBG Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 12:45 pm
To the update:
The man had already been convicted at the time Morrison sent the letter.
And if Morrison had worked at the same school — which his parents has started — at the same time as previous incidents, it is inconceivable that he did not know about those incidents as well. Just not credible.
The damage is done. Morrison used his official office to petition a judge for leniency, and leniency was granted.
Comment by Values Voters Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 2:25 pm
Rep Morrison is trying to say being a character witness, specifically for a sentencing hearing, is not asking for leniency? Literally a distinction without a difference.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 2:44 pm
“he had his students (sic) best interests at heart.”
That didn’t age well.
Comment by AlfondoGonz Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 3:21 pm
His new explanation defies credibility, one does not write a letter of support for a convicted abuser without knowledge of that abuse.
When asked by Politico he stood by his statement today.
This is the same legislator who stood up in opposition to ending “conversion therapy” an abusive practice on children - when every professional organization demanded it end.
This is the same legislator who adametely refused to join over 70 of his colleagues to support an expanded mandated reporting law.
Earlier statement from NASWIL
“We are deeply disturbed by a recent Politico report that Illinois State Representative Tom Morrison is continuing to support convicted abuser Thomas Chantry.
Unfortunately Rep. Morrison has had a history of not standing up for abused children. Now faced with credible allegations of sexual abuse against children, Rep. Morrison continues to support his friend, convicted abuser Thomas Chantry, at the expense of child victims.
There is no place in the Illinois legislature for individuals who cannot stand up for abused children. It is the baseline of decency that must transcend personal friendships.”
Kyle Hillman
National Association of Social Workers, IL Chapter
Comment by Kyle Hillman Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 3:34 pm
Maybe Tom can flip over his letter, write “i resign” and join Nick Sauer on the bench.
Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 3:49 pm
Rep. Morrison
You hurt a lot of people by enabling Rauner’s agenda the last 4 years. Therefore, I hope you get your term limit Nov 6.
Comment by Real Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 3:49 pm
So is Morrison from the Dennis Hastert or Jim Jordan wing of the Republican Party?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 4:10 pm
Is it better that he wrote the letter without knowing what the facts were?
Hey, there’s a guy facing sentencing for a crime. I don’t know what it is but I’m going to vouch for him anyway.
Nice.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 25, 18 @ 5:34 pm