Pastor Hospitalized; Molestation Trial Delayed
POSTED: Friday, November 2, 2007
  Robert Gray appeared in person at his arraignment on a fourth sexual battery charge in 2006. He was allowed to remain free on bond. |
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The trial of a longtime pastor of Trinity Baptist Church on charges he molested children decades ago has been postponed because the defendant is in the hospital.Robert Gray was slated to stand trial Nov. 12 on three counts of capital sexual battery, but Judge John Merrett visited Gray in the hospital before ruling at a hearing on Friday that the trial would be indefinitely postponed because Gray is incapacitated.The nature of Gray's ailment was not released. Gray is 81 years old.Gray founded Trinity Baptist Church on Jacksonville's Westside nearly 40 years ago and later founded the church's Christian school.Gray retired from Trinity in 1992. Prosecutors said the sexual abuse that resulted in the charges occurred in the 1960s and 1970s.Gray's lawyer declined comment on the delay. Merrett set another hearing for Dec. 12 to review Gray's condition.
Copyright 2007 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Previous Stories:
- February 23, 2007: Woman Claims Trinity Baptist Knew Of Sex Abuse
- January 12, 2007: Former Pastor's Trial On Sex Charges Still Pending
- August 15, 2006: Former Pastor Pleads Not Guilty To Sex Charge
- July 7, 2006: Former Trinity Pastor Back In Jail On New Sex Charge
- May 25, 2006: Former Pastor Faces More Sex Charges
- May 22, 2006: Sex Charges Surprise Some Church Members; Others Say 'It Was Coming'
- May 20, 2006: Retired Pastor Arrested On Child Sex Charges
Copyright 2007 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
blog comments powered by Disqus
Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and a woman were found shot to death Saturday inside a residence in Nashville, police say.
Cities and towns across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia put on fireworks displays, parades, concerts and other celebrations of America's birthday.
Authorities in Gainesville still searching for the gunmen.
One person is dead following a traffic crash Friday night in the middle of the Fuller Warren Bridge.
Jacksonville begins Independence Day festivities on Friday, with much more in store for the holiday.
An afternoon of country music is capped by SkyBlast, Jacksonville's fireworks display.
One day after 76 dogs were confiscated from a south Putnam County mobile home, plenty of people are offering homes for the animals, but they may only be temporary.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office has arrested four people accused of shoplifting at a Westside department store is also suspected of hitting stores at the St. Johns Town Center.
Sarah Palin is stepping down as Alaska governor.
It formed in southern Duval County and slowly moved north -- mostly on or near the St. Johns River -- so thousands of people could witness its power.
Viewers throughout Duval County saw, snapped and sent in photos of the waterspout that moved up the river Friday afternoon.
Capturing N.E. Florida's wanted suspects is a tough task, so the local station is trying to help with the Wheel of Justice. Every Thursday morning the wheel spins and a wanted fugitive is profiled.
View All Fugitives On 'Wheel'
Whether it's severe weather or a beautiful day, some of the best images of it come from Channel 4's viewers.
Email Alerts
RSS News Feeds
Mobile
Live Streams
Slideshows
Video
Search
