Sex-Ring Testimony At Odds Doctors Contradict Each Other In Examinations For Assault
An emergency room physician said he found conclusive signs of sexual abuse when he examined one of the key witnesses in the so-called Wenatchee child sex-ring cases.
Dr. Mark Shipman’s testimony came a day after another doctor, who examined the girl nearly 10 months later, testified that he found no signs the girl was sexually assaulted, as she alleges.
While performing a microscopic exam of the girl’s vaginal area, Shipman said he noticed marked distortion and scarring of the hymen and missing hymen tissue, which he described as uncommon for a girl who is not sexually active.
Shipman testified Tuesday, the fifth day of a hearing ordered by the state Court of Appeals to gather evidence on whether Harold and Idella Everetts’ guilty pleas should be withdrawn.
The Everetts were among 28 people in Chelan and Douglas counties accused of raping and molesting children in the so-called sex-ring cases in 1994 and 1995.
The Everetts both entered Alford pleas in November 1994, in which they admitted no wrongdoing but agreed that the state had enough evidence to convict them of sexually abusing children. He is serving a 23-year sentence, and she is nearing the end of a nearly five-year term.
The Everetts’ case is pivotal because their two daughters were key prosecution witnesses in several cases. The girls made sweeping allegations of sexual abuse against many people after one girl was a foster child in the home of Bob Perez, the Wenatchee Police Department’s lead investigator on the sex-ring cases.
The Everetts now say they were coerced by Perez into confessing and taking pleas. One of their daughters recanted her accusation in 1996, and two of their sons testified last week that Perez pressured them to accuse their parents and called them liars when they denied the abuse.
The state appeals court ordered visiting Whitman County Judge Wallis Friel to gather new information about the case and present his findings on whether the Everetts should be allowed to withdraw their guilty pleas. The hearing began March 11, and was expected to wrap up this week.
Shipman was testifying about his October 1994 exam of the girl who later recanted. She has subsequently reversed herself again, and she testified Friday that the abuse did occur.
His testimony was at odds with that of Dr. Philip Milnes, who testified Monday that during his exam of the girl in August 1995, he found no signs the girl was sexually assaulted on a regular basis.
Asked about the difference between the findings by Chelan Count Prosecutor Gary Riesen, Shipman said vaginal tissue heals dramatically and well.
In testimony Wednesday, Rebecca Carol, a former public defender who represented Idella Everett, said she was unaware of Milnes’ findings. His report was never turned over defense lawyers, according to earlier court testimony.
Carol, who testified via telephone, said the report would have been the basis for an appeal if she had known about it. She said Idella Everett has always maintained her innocence.
xxxx Case history Twenty-eight people in Chelan and Douglas counties were accused of raping and molesting children in the so-called Wenatchee sex-ring cases in 1994 and 1995. Fourteen people pleaded guilty, five were convicted, and charges were dismissed or greatly reduced against six others. Three people were acquitted. One of the convictions was overturned by an appellate court, resulting in a guilty plea to reduced charges.