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January 19, 2010 in City
Lawyers lay out cases in Morning Star trial
An attorney for a former resident of Morning Star Boys’ Ranch accused the group home for troubled boys of turning a blind eye to longstanding sexual abuse there, while an attorney representing the ranch claimed those making the accusations are motivated by money. Those statements came this morning as both sides in a civil lawsuit presented opening statements in Spokane County Superior Court.
Attorney Tim Kosnoff, who represents plaintiff Kenny Putnam, said Morning Star administrators knew or should have known that abuse was occurring and alleged two of the abusers were ranch directors. He was referring to the Rev. Marvin Lavoy, now deceased, and the Rev. Joseph Weitensteiner, who Putnam accuses of abusing him while a resident of the ranch in 1988-89.
“Management knew because they were doing it themselves,” Kosnoff said.
Defense attorney Jim King, in his opening statement, said Putnam and four other former residents who will testify in the case are making the stories up for financial gain. The four witnesses are among 19 former ranch residents with lawsuits pending against Morning Star. Many of them have histories of crime and substance abuse.
“It’s Putnam that brings us here,” King said. “He wants money.”
The trial resumes this afternoon.
Rights panel poorly understood 
tothetop on January 19 at 2:04 p.m.
I see Morningstar Ranch will take the same stand as the Catholic Church has in its defense of its Sexual abuse cases. The Defense Attorney King states “many of them have histories of crime and substance abuse” Ya Think?”, could that be a direct result of the abuse inflicted on them by the pedophiles he represents?.They also might have some major trust issues, failed relationships, some might have or will even kill themselves and then he goes on to say that they want money, UNBELIEVABLE. Money? Maybe he can tell me what else is available at point? Does he realize that after the attorneys get half plus expenses not alot is left. The pain and bull that a guy is made to relive is something that no amount of money can justify. The satisfaction of holding them accountable is the only real satisfaction one can hope to gain. Maybe Mr. King is defending Morning Star for free? Money is the only way to hold these people accountable for the crimes children suffered at there hands while management looked the other way. Sounds much like the Church with Archbishop Raymound Haunthausen recommending the transfer of pedophile Priests to other churches in the 70’s, then forgetting about it all at trial. My guess is we only know about a small fraction of the abuse that happened and so many victims will never be known. We should have great admoration for the Victims who stand up and take on the abusers on this public stage where there is really never a winner.
oneandtwo on January 19 at 5:58 p.m.
Well said tothetop.
King says the apposing attorny is just there for the money,
No I believe he is there for justice and to see that his clients are compensated for the abuse they took.
A way to determing that is to write a really big check and give it to them and see if they will go way or will stand their ground on their belief in justice.
No amount of money can go back and “undo” the harm done. No amount of money can hide your shame.
No amount of money will stop the nightmares
These men did not end up where they are by the good treatment of Morning Star Ranch..
skeugster on January 19 at 7:39 p.m.
Please see http://www.washcourts.com/?p=149.