7/23/09 – Alamo says he will remain head of church
Texarkana Gazette
July 23, 2009
By: Lynn LaRowe
Alamo says he will remain head of church
When asked this morning if he would continue to lead his controversial ministry from prison if convicted today, Tony Alamo replied, “Yes, of course I will.”
Wednesday Alamo’s jury listened to closing arguments from the U.S. government and defense attorneys before going home for the day.
Alamo did not take the stand in his own defense.
He told reporters Wednesday evening doing so would have been pointless because he wasn’t allowed to use the Bible.
At 8:17 a.m. the jury began deliberations in Alamo’s sexual abuse trial. He is accused of bringing young girls across state lines for sex.
During six full days of testimony jurors listened to bizarre descriptions of Alamo’s alleged plural marriages to juveniles, his reportedly absolute control over his followers and allegations he psychologically and physically abused members of his ministry.
The testimony of five Jane Does named in Alamo’s 10-count federal indictment was described by observers as “gripping,” “disturbing,” and “heartbreaking.”
If convicted of any or all of the ten counts, the 74-year-old could spend the rest of his life in a federal prison.