On September 6, 2011, Ernie Willis was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison for of three counts of forcible rape and one count of felonious sexual assault of Tina Anderson. Tina Dooley Anderson was at the time of these rapes, … Continue reading
Jesus Knows by Nancy Bicknell
Ken,
I’ve been trying to understand why you have taken this so personal. You’ve latched your teeth into Tina and I wish I knew why. You commented on the I Support Tina Anderson blog and yes, I read your comments even though we did not publish them. You said some hurtful things but I won’t take that personal. If you believe that Tina is lying, that is your choice. You may post that wherever someone will let you. I fought for our country so that you might have that freedom. I have contemplated for days if I should or would respond to you. Well, I decided that I would address a few things.
First, please read http://www.scribd.com/doc/44495191/Tina-Anderson-s-Statement-to-the-Concord-Police. This is a copy of what Tina wrote to the police when they called us on my birthday about a year and a half ago and asked her to give a statement of what happened. We stand by what she wrote and what she swore under oath that her statement to the police was truthful.
Second, there were a couple things that the newspapers got wrong. Where it came from, I don’t know but someone said that Ernie was a deacon. You’ll notice in the police report that Tina never called him a deacon and never said that in the couple of interviews that she gave. That issue was quickly addressed and corrected in future articles.
Third, you say Tina lied when she agreed with Elizabeth Vargas on 20/20 that she “lost” her job. You are correct that Tina was not fired from being a teacher. We never said that she had been fired. I understand how you and others could understand it that way. There was no willful intent to deceive. The word lost was used in the context of “no longer in the possession, care, or control of someone or something” (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/lost) but it was not “lost” in the sense that it was taken away.
On purpose, we did not go into the details of why Tina put in her resignation. There were a lot of things that happened that made us realize that we could not continue at this church and school. This is the church that I grew up in since I was five years old. This is the place where I attended the Christian academy from kindergarten to 12th grade. This is the college that I achieved one of my bachelor’s degrees and almost completed my master’s degree (I’d have to complete three more classes). This is where I devoted over 20 years of my life. We chose to walk away. Although it’s been brought out by others, I don’t bring up the names of these organizations because I don’t want to drag them through the mud but it’s part of our life and it’s kind of hard to hide where you’ve spent about half of your life. I have deep feelings for that place. When I say I’ve “lost” friends, it means that us and them have chosen to part ways. It means that people I’ve known all my life and all the people that Tina got to know while she was there, don’t fellowship with us. Will some of those friendships be renewed? I don’t know, maybe. I still hold out hope. There are a couple families that we do see occasionally but six people out of hundreds is not very many.
Fourth, you’re concerned about The Tina Anderson Foundation and where does the money go and how much does Tina and I receive. There might be other concerns but I’ll address the one I know about. Tina and I do not receive any money from the foundation. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, during Christmas time, we were given gas money and our hotel room paid so that we could take a week’s vacation to spend time with friends out of state. The foundation also gave us some Christmas gifts that my kids still enjoy playing with. The purpose of the foundation is stated on the website. If people want to donate to help others, that is great! If people are not comfortable with donating to this foundation, don’t. This was set up to try and make a difference in people’s lives and to give a chance for others to help. I trust and support the people and their families who run the foundation. In fact, I love them like family. All of them have meant so much to me, my wife and my kids.
Finally, Ken. I know this will not answer all your questions and you may dismiss what I have to say. That is fine. I pray that God’s peace come upon you and that you have joy in your life. God has greatly blessed me and I pray that God will also bless you also.
Sincerely,
Tim Anderson
(As posted on I support Tina Anderson blog http://isupporttinaanderson.blogspot.com/2011/06/letter-to-ken-smith.html?spref=fb)
Never ceases to amaze Chuckles how people who have never met, spoken to, or even corresponded with Tina Anderson come to conclusions such as she is some weak minded person who was influenced to go through a grueling testimony against her rapist because she is bitter. Or better yet, were under some spell of other bitter people to go through the investigation, and be willing to testify against her rapist in court which caused the loss of her job teaching music at International Baptist College in Arizona, her long time friends, was forced out of her church, and more, because she told the truth when contacted by Concord Police about what happened to her fourteen years before.
Received the following email this morning from someone who claims to be a ‘man of God’ but is too yellow to sign his name.
Chuckles Travels or CP Traveler,
My wife stumbled across Chuckles Travels a few days ago. I was on the road, preaching and leading people to Jesus, while you sit behind a keyboard blaming good men like Chuck Phelps and others for the bitterness in your own hearts. No, doubt Dr. Phelps made mistakes. Dr. Phelps has been very humble, as he cried in my presence last fall, pouring out his hurt for both the Willis family and for Mrs. Anderson. Tina is not a 15 year old girl. Her memories have no doubt been influenced by bitter, angry people like Jocelyn Zichterman and perhaps you, whoever you are.
God’s word warns about bitterness defiling others.
See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Hebrews 12:15
Tina was happy, serving the Lord, teaching at a good, solid fundamental Baptist college, until bitter people poisoned her and her husband with their own bitterness.
First of all these people who have full blown bitterness are in serious trouble. This is not my opinion, it is God’s. Bitterness is a root! A root is a source. Where does the roots dwell? Under the surface of the soil. Can everybody see it’s root system? No, because it’s hidden under the soil or surface. The same is true with bitterness in a person’s soul. It is a hidden element that lies under the surface, and out of it springs up anger and other negative emotions against others and against the circumstances around us. People who have a root of bitterness find it easy to get upset over things that other’s are doing around them. It’s like a brewing fountain that lies beneath the surface, waiting to fuel something that is on the surface.
Countless women who are raped develop awful bitter spirits that affect and infect people around them. No one doubts that these women were hurt. It’s not because they were raped, but because they allowed the trauma to get to them, they nurse the bitterness for years. Many women are in bondage today because they became bitter under the surface about what was done to them years ago, and then refuse to forgive. Jocelyn Z is one of those women. The Devil loves bitterness and unforgiveness, and it’s a wide open door for them to move right in on a person and develop many spiritual, mental and even physical problems.
Bitterness, anger and lack of forgiveness doesn’t have to take over a woman’s life, only because she was raped years ago. I know women who have been raped, and they are kind and gentle and loving people.
I read the entry, “It Happens to Boys too.” My heart hurts for Mrs. Bicknell and her two sons. It is unfortunate she and it appears they have turned to Worldly counsel instead of leaning on their Savior. Jim Berg wisely teaches, it seemed that boys who are molested by older men and forgave the molester and forgot about it right away, walked away without picking up unclean homosexual abominations, and tend to not turn to alcohol and drugs to lesson the pain. Those who allowed the trauma to make them bitter instead of better and instead walked away from Godly counsel were very likely to end up with homosexual relationships and the bondages of depression, drugs, alcohol and even the ultimate rebellion against The Creator, suicide. How the Devil begins to gain access into a person’s life through rape and abuse is the root of bitterness which eventually becomes a giant tree. Root out all bitterness when it is small, and the person will go on to serve their Savior, with joy and happiness no matter what terrible situations they faced in their past.
We will be praying for the Anderson family that they realize the bitter people are coming between them and the LORD. Will pray for Jocelyn Zichterman and the others like her who have let the root become a giant oak repent, and realize the damage they are all doing.
In Jesus Name,
Chuck Phelps After Trial Statement
Chuck Phelps has posted the above statement of his website. More self-serving outright lies. According to his website, interview with 20/20, and numerous other individuals, Phelps he repeatedly said Tina was in a covert dating relationship with a married man.” According to sworn testimony the Concord Police have no record of him making any report to them. According to his own testimony he did not return the calls made to him by the police. According to Phelps own sworn, under oath testimony, Phelps told the police Tina did not want to make a police report, and did not make her whereabouts known to the police. Phelps conveniently left out of this statement that Tina was sent out of the Concord Police Jurisdiction to Colorado. According to Tina, she was told not to tell the hospital staff when she gave birth who about the father of her baby. Wonder if the “medical professional” Phelps so readily through under the bus in his statement had all that information as well. As a matter of fact, the Nurse Practitioner testified she did not know that Tina had been raped, let alone by a 39 year old man.
Facts left out, that under oath, Phelps told the court that Willis admitted to him that Willis was the aggressor.
Fact left out, Phelps KNEW that Willis payed for the airfare for Tina to be sent to Colorado.
There is much more, just read this blog.
Fact, Phelps may well think this is all over, his arrogance is astounding. If I were him, I wouldn’t be acting like the hero here and blaming the police. The Feds may be on his doorstep anytime.
Hope they find this, and throw the book at him.
Current pastor Jack Shaap is the brother-in-law of Dave Hyles.
A.V. Ballenger, a deacon and bus route driver at Hyles’ First Baptist Church Hammond, was convicted in March of 1993 (and sentenced in July of 1993 to five years in jail) of molesting a seven year old girl. (This crime occurred in a Sunday School room of the church! Incredibly, after conviction, but prior to sentencing, Ballenger was allowed to resume his FBCH bus route!) The highlight of the sentencing hearing was the testimony of three young women. Each was molested by Ballenger when she was a child, and in each case, before age seven. Jack Hyles, who testified on Ballenger’s behalf, defiantly declared the outcome of the trial null and void, claiming that the courts had no jurisdiction in this matter. Hyles told the girl’s parents, “Deacon Ballenger just likes little girls.”
David Hyles, Jack Hyles’ son, had affairs with at least 19 different women at Miller Road Baptist Church in Garland, Texas, during the time he pastored there. (He was dismissed when a janitor found photos of Hyles having sex with a deacon’s daughter.) Back in the Chicago area (Bolingbrook, IL), and after David’s divorce from his wife, David was cohabitating with a woman by the name of Brenda Stevens. Brenda posed for pornographic pictures in Adam and Chicago Swingers magazines (in an advertisement for group sex) during the time she and David were living together. After David married Brenda, Brenda’s 17-month-old son by a previous marriage was found battered and dead at the Hyles’ home. The police still consider the case a murder and continue to view David and Brenda as prime suspects. At the coroner’s inquest in 1985, Brenda was a no-show, while David Hyles pleaded the Fifth Amendment. [In June of 2003, it was reported that David Hyles had been kicked out of another church (Pinellas Park Baptist in the Florida Keys), this time over a 9-woman sex scandal. Nevertheless, David Hyles still kept a a full itinerary of speaking to churches on Sunday School growth for quite a while thereafter.]
I post these examples to point out the head-in-the-sand attitude that many Christians take to avoid confronting the truth. I point that out to show, this is not a new phenomena. Long before Tina Anderson, there was the horrific case of Esther Coombs that was highlighted on ABC News Primetime.
There are 1000′s of similar cases out there. For too long, When confronted with the evidence that they turn around and it insist the evidence doesn’t exist. They complain when the media does a story on abuse, it is painting fundamentalism with “too broad a brush.” For all their insistence and whining, fundamentalist preachers chose to close their eyes tight, stick their fingers in their ears and scream, “I’m not listening! I’m not listening!” And then go on to prepare their Sunday morning sermon series on the pedophilia scandal plaguing the Catholic Church and how this proves that Catholicism is from the pit of hell. The Fundamental Baptist Fellowship International (*note: Chuck Phelps is the vice-chairmen) wrote the following resolution against sex abuse by the Catholic church in 2002.
While this blog, or no one wants to down play the sexual abuse that take place in any church, it should be noted that the FBFI has NEVER issued any resolution condemning abuse, physical or sexual abuse, whatsoever, from within Independent Baptist Fundamentalism. It is past time, fundamentalist leaders, pastors and their faithful members demand accountability. It is time to stop blaming the child victim, in any way whatsoever, for the crime committed against them. It is past time, they stop “investigating,” as Chuck Phelps did, when sexual assault of a child or teen is revealed, and turn it over to the authorities whose experience and training with investigating sex crimes. It is past time, for fundamentalist leaders and pastors to practise what they preach and separate from people like Chuck Phelps who, made a conscious choice, to allow a degenerate who raped a teen girl to remain free, while sending the teen girl into exile. No matter, what Chuck Phelps “thought,” he was wrong. He was Tina’s shepherd. He has told people that he was trying to save the Willis marriage. Phelps testified on the stand that, Tina had less to lose than Willis. Rape has been called “soul murder” for a reason. Our criminal justice system is not perfect, but it is responsible for investigate and prosecute these crimes. According to the scriptures, that is one thing for which government is ordained of God.
Tina Anderson’s horrifying treatment by Concord’s Trinity Baptist Church made her story the subject of national attention. Anderson was 15 in 1997 when she was raped and impregnated by Ernest Willis, then a church member more than twice her age. In a scene that sounds like it occurred in a distant century, Anderson was called before the congregation by its then-pastor, Chuck Phelps, and told to apologize for being pregnant. She was sent by Phelps and her mother to live with a family Phelps knew in Colorado until the baby was born and could be put up for adoption.
The specifics of Anderson’s case were extraordinary in one other way too: Fourteen years later, she summoned the courage to return to Concord and confront Willis, not to mention Phelps and her mother. In doing so, she set an example for women everywhere who have been doubly victimized – first by their attackers and then again by their fear of seeking justice.
Anderson put a name and a face to a crime that usually goes unreported because women fear the attacks on their character and credibility that inevitably follow accusations of rape.
Confronted years later, Willis admitted to statutory rape and claimed the sex was consensual. But last week, a Merrimack County Superior Court jury also found him guilty of forcibly raping Anderson on two occasions. He is now awaiting sentencing. For Anderson, the trauma of testifying in open court – not just before a judge and jury but also for an audience that stretched far beyond Concord – was mitigated by the courtroom victory.
A distressing number of American woman are the victims of rape or sexual assault. One national study puts the figure at one in seven; a 2007 New Hampshire surveys found the number closer to one in four. Despite the national focus on sexual and domestic violence and the increasing empowerment of women, most rapes still go unreported. The National Institute of Justice estimates that just 31 percent are brought to the attention of authorities; a 2011 study published by the Journal of Interpersonal Violence puts the figure at 15.8 percent.
Rape is typically committed by someone known to the victim, and it is a crime that rarely has witnesses. It is a hard crime to prove. Earlier this year, a committee of the Governor’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence published a report that argues that the criminal justice system fails to prosecute or win convictions in the vast majority of rape cases. It studied 344 female sexual assault cases in New Hampshire in 2006 and found that only 13 – or 3 percent – of the 344 offenders named either pleaded guilty or were convicted.
Indeed, Anderson’s case might have been forgotten altogether had a former Trinity member not discussed Anderson’s treatment by the church on a Facebook page founded by an activist to highlight what she believes are abuses by fundamentalist Baptist churches.
That activist, Jocelyn Zichterman, claims that when she was abused by a family member as a youth, her Baptist church pressured her into remaining silent. She now considers such fundamentalist churches to be cults and has made it her cause to support victims like Anderson. Whatever you make of Zichterman’s beliefs, the trial dramatized the importance for rape victims of having an experienced, caring advocate at one’s side while going through a grueling, emotional trial.
If rapists are going to be convicted, more victims will need the courage to do what Anderson did: confront their attackers and endure difficult questioning in the name of justice. In this case, at least, that bravery paid off.
According to the Concord, New Hampshire newspaper, Union Leader, another woman who currently resides in California came forward the week of Ernie Willis’ rape trial alleging she too was sexually assaulted while attending Trinity Baptist Church, Concord, NH. According to the report, the woman states she was sexually assaulted by a Trinity Baptist Church member while she was a minor around the same time Tina Anderson was raped by Ernie Willis.
Pastor Chuck Phelps would have been the pastor of Trinity Baptist when this alleged assault occurred aswell. More information will likely be forthcoming.
Yesterday afternoon, David Gibbs III, who represents both Chuck Phelps and Christine Leaf, lost last minute legal wrangling citing “pastoral privilege.” According to reports, David Gibbs III argued that should not be included since Chuck Phelps’ “copious notes” had been handed over to the Concord Police Department without his knowledge. Judge Larry Smukler ruled against the argument of pastoral privilege by David Gibbs III.
Merrimack County Superior Court Judge Larry Smukler talks with Assistant County Attorney Wayne Coull, left, and Public Defenders, Brooksley and Donna Brown, during a hearing for Ernest Willis.
It appeared that Chuck Phelps may have forgotten he was not preaching to his flock, but instead testifying in a court of law. When asked a question, Phelps did not just answer the question, he talked and he talked and he talked.
Of course, making sure to only make eye contact with the jury.
Pastor Phelps says people in his church are taught that pre marital sex is wrong but they are not taught to look down on those who sin. He is describing the guidelines at the school regarding dress codes and behavior.
Chuck, you are such a joker. Really? This is like saying a Catholic doesn’t need to go to confession.
Chuck Phelps “copious notes” that were turned over to the Concord Police without his knowlege contained some interesting things.
In Chuck Phelps interview with 20/20 Phelps said he did not know that Ernie Willis was the father of Tina’s baby. Phelps said that Tina accused a man of a crime but did not know that a crime had been committed.
According to Phelps testimony, his “copious notes” revealed,
Pastor Phelps just checked his notes from October 8, 1997 and says that Ernie told him he had two encounters with Tina about a month apart and that in a meeting later that same day with his wife present he told the Pastor that he was the ‘aggressor’. He [Phelps] says it was then revealed that Tina was with child.
uh OH!
Chuck Phelps pulled one of the oldest trick in the Independent Baptist Fundamentalist, preacher play book. He turned on the waterworks. Phelps cried as he recounted that he was concerned Ernie Willis may have been suicidal, after Willis had admitted that he was the ‘aggressor’ on Tina Anderson. Absent from Phelps testimony was any crying, and concern over the fact that a teenage sexual assault victim may be suicidal. Wonder why, Chuck didn’t call the Concord Police, or escort Willis to the Concord Police Department where Willis would have been “safe” on suicide watch in the county jail?
Phelps also testified that he that he knew the family in Colorado that homeschooled their three boys. Phelps testified that this family would be perfect to keep Tina during her pregnancy.
Is it a wise decision to send this vulnerable teen girl halfway across a continent, to a place where she would not know anyone, to live in a home with a family of only boys?
Wait a minute. He knew the family….perfect…keep Tina?
Thought Phelps had no say in sending Tina to Colorado. Didn’t Mrs. Leaf testify to that earlier?
uh OH!
Later in the testimony, Phelps told the prosecutor that he wanted to be on the side of the prosecution for over a year.
Really? Phelps you are such the joker! Why didn’t you come forward, cooperating with the investigation, not attacking the victim on your website, etc?
Phelps complained he was thrown under the bus by the media.
Chuck, the floorboards under the drivers seat of the bus you were driving were rotted through. Chuck you just fell under the wheels of the bus you were driving. Chuck Phelps took Ernie Willis and Christine Leaf under the bus tires along with him. Furthermore, Phelps proved that Tina was telling the truth.
Meanwhile, the boys club over on Sharper Iron are still arguing over whether Tina should have been Church disciplined or not. Even fight over what the word “aggressor” means.
Oh how Chuckles longs for the sound of silence by the Sharper Iron folks.
Chuckles here: Doesn’t it appear strange to anyone but me that this wasn’t “accidental?” Does it appear to anyone by me, that it was a strategy of some sort? David Gibbs III is representing both Chuck Phelps and Tina’s mother, Christine Leaf. How is it that an an experienced attorney would not know that he could not sit next to the victim at her rapists trial when one of his clients has been labeled a ‘hostile witness’ by the prosecution?
Read more: http://livewire.wmur.com/Event/Trial_Of_Ernest_Willis_Continues#ixzz1NLkGEEYS
“Even wild jackals nurture their babies, give them their breasts to suckle. But my people have turned cruel to their babies, like an ostrich in the wilderness.”Lamentations 4:3 (The Message)
Yesterday the rape trial for Ernest Willis began in Concord, NH. Tina (Dooley) Anderson was 15 when she was raped by Ernest Willis. At the last-minute, Ernie Willis, admitted to the bare minimum that he did have consensual sex with Tina that resulted in her pregnancy. Tina was 15 at the time. Willis should not get kudos for doing what he couldn’t get out of.
Tina Anderson was the first to testify. Ernest Willis’ defense attorney, a woman, set up a large white tablet and asked Tina to recall her menstrual cycle from 14 years ago. The defense attorney, Donna Brown, line of questioning was uncalled for. Ernest Willis had already admitted, it is confirmed by DNA, that he is the father of Tina’s child she gave up for adoption.
Chuckles would like to thank some ladies helped Chuckles out by explaining this to a man who doesn’t worry about those things.
“I don’t remember my cycles from G. That was 5 years ago. 6, I guess. Do you REMEMBER (gentlemen, just excuse us here) how dingy we all were at 15? Good grief. I don’t think I even got the hang of it until I was married.” ~C
“Even if a 15-year-old were writing it down, why would she keep records of her cycles this long?!?!?! No woman does that!!!! To quote Tina Anderson, “Give me a break!” I’m praying the jury will.” ~W
I was actually hoping Tina would ask that defense attorney, “…do you remember the dates of yours from when you were 15?” ~W
To add further insult and emotional pain, Tina’s mother Christina Leaf took the stand. Tina sobbed in the gallery when her mother was asked if she supported Tina responded:
“I only support the truth, not a lie.’’
Christine Leaf testified that her daughter ‘gave her a hard time’. She was ‘stubborn’. Christine admits her daughter had good grades and says she was not aware of any boyfriends or dating. She testified that sending Tina out-of-state to have her baby “was my idea.” Christine Leaf at first testified that she wanted her daughter to move to Colorado to have a better life. Minutes later she stated,
“I needed to get her out of the house because she was very mean to me.”
Mrs. Leaf appears to be the most selfish woman.
Poor Mrs. Leaf, her daughter was raped by a trusted family friend, get’s pregnant, is not believed by her mother and the powerful pastor of her church.
Poor Mrs. Leaf, her daughter is mean to her after her 16-year-old daughter is made to stand before 100′s of people while her pastor read a letter that Tina was made to write, apologizing for “putting herself in compromising situation,” and getting pregnant.
Poor Mrs. Leaf, takes back, lives with the monster that she knows molested her daughter, and had beaten both her children, after he is released from prison because she “needed him.”
Poor Mrs. Leaf, continues to attend the same church with her daughters rapist for many years.
Poor Mrs. Leaf sends her daughter hundreds of miles away to live with strangers, when Tina begged to go stay with her grandparents.
Poor, poor Mrs. Leaf you, “needed to get her out of the house because she [Tina] was very mean to me.”
Mrs. Leaf, we get it, you’re the victim. Poor, poor Mrs. Leaf who made the decision not to protect her own daughter from first your child rapist husband, then the degenerate who likes to rape teenage girls, nor the pastor. Poor, poor you.
Mrs. Leaf also testified that it was Tina’s sole decision to give her baby up for adoption as Tina sobbed and had to be consoled in the gallery. Mrs. Leaf testified if she had her way, Tina would have kept the baby.
Christine Leaf’s husband Daniel Leaf is a registered sex offender. He served 7 years in prison for molesting a child in a McDonald’s bathroom. While he was in prison, Tina told her mother, Christine Leaf, about Daniel Leaf molesting her. Before that, Daniel Leaf went to prison for a year and a half for felony child abuse. He had severely beaten both Tina and her brother.
Mrs. Leaf’s response? She took her daughter to Pastor Phelps for “counseling.” According to Tina, she was told she needed to forgive her step-father. Tina was then taken to the prison where she was told she needed to “forgive and forget” what her step-father had done to be right with God. Before the trial, Tina’s mother has claimed she was told to do this not by Chuck Phelps but by social workers as part of a family reunification plan. Chuckles has spoken to eight different child advocates, social workers, who work with Children who have parents in prison. ALL had practiced in the 1990′s responded, even in the 1990′s, this was not recommended.
For those who doubt that Pastor Phelps may have told Tina and her mother to do this or not. The type of pastoral Counseling taught at Pastor Chuck Phelps alma mater, tends to blame the victim. Survivors of physical and sexual abuse are often told that unless they forgive their abuser, God will not hear their prayers.
In their view, forgiveness is not a destination one gets to after working through 5-7 levels, it is demanded as the starting point.
Tina, if you read this, I apologize in advance for what needs to be said about your mother.
Mrs. Leaf, you’re a pathetic human being.
