7/16/09 – VIDEO: KTHV : Charles Crowson Reports: Former Alamo Wife Takes The Witness Stand
Today’s THV
July 15, 2009
Posted by Charles Crowson
Former Alamo Wife Takes The Witness Stand
A former wife of Tony Alamo took the stand Wednesday morning, giving graphic testimony about the evangelist in his federal trial.
During three hours on the witness stand, she testified that Alamo married several girls, some as young as eight and 11-years-old. She also testified that Alamo took them to neighboring states and had sex with them.
The third-generation follower of evangelist Tony Alamo told federal court jurors Wednesday that the preacher had so many sex partners that he scheduled how often he would sleep with them.
The 30-year-old woman said she was one of Alamo’s wives, marrying him at age 15.
During cross examination by Alamo attorney Don Ervin, the witness was asked why she waited so long to come forward with the allegations. Ervin was attempting to discredit the woman’s claims made during morning testimony.
Alamo’s attorney, Philip Kuhn, told THV’s Charles Crowson, “This is a smear campaign against our client.”
Previously Posted:
Friction is still the atmosphere in the Texarkana courtroom. Alamo’s lead attorney Don Ervin has objected to the line of questioning of the government’s first witness and to the admission of photographic evidence in the case. The name of this witness is being withheld because of alleged sexual assault by Alamo when she was minor.
A 30-minute recess was called by Judge Harry Barnes so he could meet with attorneys about the objections.
Alamo arrived at the Texarkana Federal Courthouse around 6:30 this morning.
Alamo has pleaded not guilty to the charge that he took young girls across state lines for sex.
During opening statements Tuesday, federal prosecutors said Alamo preyed on his followers’ young daughters, taking a girl as young as 8 as his bride.
The head of Alamo’s defense team, told jurors that Alamo ordered the girls to different locations as part of the church’s business not for sex.
THV’s Charles Crowson continues to follow the Alamo trial and will have updates throughout the day. You can follow him on Twitter as well. Phones are not allowed in the courtroom but when they take breaks, he is sending out tweets.