Sex Abuser Sentenced To Prison Man Had Twice Run Away From Legal Proceedings

After living four years as a fugitive, a Spokane sex offender who disappeared from a courtordered treatment program was sent to prison Tuesday.

Psychologists labeled Robert Lemley an “excellent candidate” for outpatient treatment in 1990, after he was convicted of molesting two girls.

“I’d like to get straightened out,” he told the staff at Parkview Associates.

But nine months into the sexual deviancy program, Lemley fled, leaving his family behind.

He was on the run for two years, living out of his car and a string of motels.

When authorities caught up to him in July 1993, he had made new friends and was living in a farmhouse on the outskirts of Portland.

“He started his life over again, like nothing happened,” said Spokane County Deputy Prosecutor Dave Hearrean.

But Lemley wasn’t through running.

After his arrest, the 55-year-old man posted bail and disappeared again - for almost another two years.

He was captured April 13 in the same rural community, using the same name.

“He lived conspicuously,” said his attorney, Michael Kenny.

The short, squat defendant said he ran because his wife was divorcing him and his life was in tatters, with treatment bills piling up and victims pressing personalinjury lawsuits.

“I know it was wrong (to run),” he told Superior Court Judge Michael Donohue. “I was really hurting because of the divorce and everything else that was happening.”

Kenny asked that his client be allowed to finish treatment while serving time in the county jail.

Hearrean opposed the request, saying, “I think he’s a danger to the public.”

Donohue didn’t hesitate. He quickly imposed the 41-month prison term he suspended when Lemley checked into the program, after an initial six months in jail.

“He’s had his opportunity at treatment,” the judge said, scowling.

Lemley’s former wife, Alice, was in the courtroom Tuesday but didn’t speak.

Earlier, she said he deserves a second chance because he was wrongly convicted. “He’s not a criminal,” the mother of three said.

In January 1990, a Spokane County jury convicted Lemley of two counts of first-degree child molestation involving two 9-yearold girls.

He had no prior criminal convictions.

At the time, he was a selfemployed bookkeeper and former longtime accounting manager for Murphey Favre Inc., a Spokane investment firm, court documents show.