Wheels of Justice Stalled in Kanawha County?
Wheels of Justice Stalled in Kanawha County? Save Email Print
Posted: 7:59 PM Jul 15, 2008
Last Updated: 8:02 PM Jul 15, 2008
Reporter: Will Jones
Email Address: will.jones@wsaz.com

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- It has been ten months after a Kanawha County pastor was arrested and charged with sexually abusing teenage boys in the early 1990s. The case against Sandy Cook still has yet to go to trial.

One man who claims he's a victim says a slow-moving court system is victimizing him all over again.

David Mullins says he's not afraid or ashamed anymore to share his past of sexual abuse. He says it was at the hands of Pastor Sandy Cook eighteen years ago.

"There's nothing he can do to me. I am not that 13 or 14 year old kid," David Mullins said.

Mullins first told his story to investigators after Cook was charged in September 2007 with sexually abusing and sexually assaulting children in 1994.

Pastor Mike Lewis says he was also one of those victims.

"Started around 13. It happened for three and four years," Pastor Mike Lewis said.

Now they say the case against Cook has stalled.

"Why has it taken a year to get to the grand jury? Why is he so low on priority?" asked Mullins.

He says what's so hard to understand is that Cook is out on bond and according to his bail agreement, he's still allowed to be around children.
In some other sexual abuse cases, contact with minors is forbidden.

"There is still that potential chance. Why not keep away from children? Why not keep him away from the victims?" said Mullins.

Kanawha County Magistrate Joe Shelton stands by his decision not to forbid Cook from having contact with children. Shelton says Cook knows not to break any laws.

The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney's Office says it can not comment on a pending case. Sandy Cook did not return our phone call.

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Posted by: Curtis on Jul 17, 2008 at 11:50 PM
Hang in there David and keep fighting the good fight. It may not seem like it now, but you will reap the benefits for yourself and all victims in this regard, later. Don’t be deterred by the negative and cruel people out there. It’s not a matter of intelligence as much is as it is ignorance, which is two different issues. You can educate the ignorant. If you stay true to your word and focus on preventing harm to future victims while looking for your own justice, you will be a hero to us all.

Posted by: MM on Jul 17, 2008 at 06:38 PM
I thank this man for gaining the courage to come forward. Maybe another abused child will hear of this case and gather their courage just as David. Unless you have walked in these shoes, don't be too fast to judge. May God forvid it happen to your child or grandchild. You are in my prayers, I hope you find peace in the near future.

Posted by: Bev on Jul 17, 2008 at 02:39 PM
What many of you don't seem to know is that when a child is abused, not only does his/her abuser often threaten the child or loved ones if they tell, but it also creates a stigma in the mind of the child that he/she somehow may have caused this to happen, and it is a very embarrassing situation for a child to be in. Then, as a child gets older, the event may be blocked from his/her memory, or the person knows they won't be believed, so why try? Especially in the case of such a "trusted" person doing the abuse. Many times adult rape victims won't come forward to accuse their rapists for the same reason, the shame, did they cause any of it, and how they, not the person committing the crime, will be looked upon. Your rude comments don't help at all.

Posted by: Joyce on Jul 17, 2008 at 11:34 AM
People are losing focus on the issue at hand. There is a man that can possibly be out there hurting children. I want to know as a mother, what the system is doing to stop individuals like this from hurting other children.Furthermore, I want to know, Joe Shelton, if Sandy Cook knows not to break any laws why does he need bail in the first place.

Posted by: Gonzo on Jul 17, 2008 at 10:11 AM
Paul..you are clearly missing the whole point of this story..Don't insult my intelligence by you being a hypocritical raging moron..this is about the fact that David Mullins didn't say anything until 10 months ago..and yes that is what the "NEWS" said ..but since I guess you don't have the intellectual capacity to read and then analyze what you just read..you robably didn't even understand it..Don't come one here and make the story about someone else..Stick to the point! It's people like you..that keep the judicial system tied up..now go away before you insult anyone else with your ignorance...

Posted by: william on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:17 PM
Man,how dumb can you get ??? Wait 18 years and come up with a story like that .Who do you think will believe this one .... If you want on TV,think up a better one then this.

Posted by: Paul on Jul 16, 2008 at 06:53 PM
To the idiot Gonzo: David Mullins did report his abuse, as did the other victims. It's people like you that make it hard for him to come forward. You obviously are of low intelligence and have little education.

Posted by: Gonzo on Jul 16, 2008 at 08:18 AM
Why Ask Stupid Questions that you know that you kow the answer too?...David Mullins..Maybe since it took you 18 years to be a grown up and say something..just think it happened to you and you didn't say anything..that itself left alot more young children at risk..I believe you have also done wrong doing!!! The court system will handle it just as you did over the past 18 years!!!!

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