When former Kanakuk Kamp director Pete Newman comes to trial, he wants it to take place anywhere except Taney County.
Newman's attorney, Tom Carver of Springfield, has indicated he will ask for a change of venue.
The Branson Daily News also reports that the prosecution asked for a handwriting sample from Newman, most likely to compare it to a letter received by Kanakuk officials in which Newman allegedly detailed wrongdoing.
Newman is charged with numerous felony sex crimes involving underage boys.
Of course he does. Coming back and having to face all the people that were once such a part of his life is just too hard. Let's make it as easy for him as possible. Poor thing must be going through such a hard time. Let's all do the Christ like thing and drop all charges and just love him through this so he will do it again and again. The friends that are standing by him should allow him to sit with their kids awhile just to show the community just how much they trust and stand by him.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know if they're likely to grant a change of venue?
ReplyDeleteWould the prosecution allow this?
As a matter of law, criminal defendants are allowed one change in venue without cause in counties of less than 75,000 population. Missouri Rule of Court Chapter 32. A change of judge can also be requested as well.
ReplyDeleteThis request should be a mere formality before being granted.The prosecution has no say in whether or not change of venue or of judge shall be granted.
Why would he want a change of venue? Does he think that moving a couple of counties down the road would lessen the extent to which victims will be seeking justice? The enraged are only becoming more so with every passing day and every passing stunt he pulls.
ReplyDeleteYou think he'll request to change the venue to a sauna?
ReplyDeleteprobaby...
ReplyDeleteor to Chuck E. Cheese?
ReplyDeleteI think he'd prefer it be in a hottub...
ReplyDeleteDo you guys actually believe he'll go to trial?
ReplyDeleteI know him and I know he wouldn't humiliate his parents by putting them through that, allowing all the facts to become public knowledge, all while knowing he's going to lose and wind up behind bars anyway. He'll spare his family of this humiliation and expense.
ReplyDeleteWill Pete spare his family the humiliation of a trial, or spare himself?
ReplyDelete10:08, don't know what he's thinking. I think he's too narcissistic to stop this charade. In some ways, I think he's loving all this attention.
ReplyDeleteto poster at 9:44
ReplyDeleteYou say you know him and he wouldn't put his family through a trial, well.....you know him and he DID do these horrible things that is causing all this pain for everyone, not just his family!He is out for himself and no one else. Don't let what you thought you knew of him to cloud your thinking that he will step up to do the right thing. On Dec. 17, right after apologizing to two women at the courthouse for pain caused to their sons he turned right around and plead NOT GUILTY!!!!!! Now that sounds like someone who is wanting to do the right thing, don't you think?
Well it seems the entire Newman and Galloway families are standing by their "man." WOW. Unbelievable. I'm afraid of what this will cost them in so many ways.
ReplyDeletePeople who know them: tell us about their integrity.
Explain how standing with him every time he pleads NOT GUILTY (LYING) shows integrity. Hmmmm.....Help us with the Galloway family jumping in to help him.
We're serious. Help us understand how this is "right."
Has the change of venue been granted? Also, would that mean a new judge as well? Will the prosecution oppose this?
ReplyDeleteAnyone know?
The court records show the change of venue motion was officially filed Tuesday, so no decision has been made. There has been no motion for a change of judge. Usually in Missouri cases, barring exceptional circumstances, most defendants request either one or the other, but not both.
ReplyDeleteMissouri Rules of Court
ReplyDelete32.03. Misdemeanors or Felonies - Change of Venue as a Matter of Right in Certain Counties - Procedure
(a) A change of venue shall be ordered in any criminal proceeding triable by a jury pending in a county having seventy-five thousand or fewer inhabitants upon the filing of a written application therefor by the defendant. In felony and misdemeanor cases the application must be filed not later than ten days after the initial plea is entered. The defendant need not allege or prove any reason for change. The application need not be verified and shall be signed by the defendant or the defendant's attorney.
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So, as mentioned above, the Defendant has a right to one change of venue and doesn't have to say why.
Insofar as asking for both a change in venue and of judge, this can be done as well.
However, since this particular defendant has waived a preliminary hearing -- and he made a mistake in doing so so that he could get the charges finalized and hear what exactly there is against him -- there would be a different judge since there is a change in venue to a different county. I suspect that the lawyer will want to take it to the big city of Springfield in Greene County.
Well, he actually WAS ARRAIGNED, even those it says he waived it...SO, he does know the charges against him....At least the ones that have been filed so far, that is.
ReplyDeletePeter, hope you had a good Christmas. It'll be your last one as a free man.
ReplyDeleteTo 10:39
ReplyDeleteI guess the only way to understand is to try and imagine if this was your son or husband. Tough situation. Maybe, they are not "standing by him"... but, have chosen not to abandon him.
The poster at 4:19 had it more accurate. The entire Newman family is totally heartbroken. Pete's actions have gone against all the godly values his parents worked at instilling in him and his three brothers.
ReplyDeleteThey in no way condone what he has done. But, as loving parents, they are not abandoning him. Nor would any loving parent abandon their child, no matter how grave the circumstances.
Call it what you wish...they are further victimizing the victims. Somebody needs to sit them down and explain a little about what these victims and their families are going through. THEN, they can see that what they are experiencing is NOTHING by comparison.
ReplyDeleteTo pretend that their pain even comes close to that of their son's victims is the most insensitive thing!
His parents and brothers should not abandon him-that's true. BUT, not abandoning him should NOT mean going to court with him knowing he's going to lie and continually plead not guilty. THAT is condoning. THAT is enabling. THAT is aiding him in his lies. THAT is pouring more salt on already open wounds. THAT is more that just not abandoning him. THAT is wrong. THAT is being an accomplice to a criminal.
ReplyDeleteHis wife and her family--who can fathom why they're supporting him and standing by him?!?!
Obviously, his "charm" and manipulative ways have worked most of all on them. They are probably just too close to the forrest to see the trees.
RANDY...or, anyone who might have some insight...in your opinion, what is to be done at Pete's January 21st hearing?
ReplyDeleteWill the judge set a trial date if he continues to plead not guilty?
The more "Not Guilty" pleas he enters, the more the prosecution is going to dig their heels in--because these families are DETERMINED to see justice here. I believe that all of them would be way more likely to compromise with him if he'd just admit to what he's done and publicly apologize for all the terror he's caused to so many people. But apparently he's being advised by his family to lie, not "own up," fight this, and continue hurting all the people he's already hurt.
ReplyDeleteI do know this. It isn't his family who is advising him to plead not guilty. It is his attorneys.
ReplyDeleteI know the Galloways and they are not standing by Pete and they are not helping to cover the cost of his legal defense. They are however standing by their daugher and supporting her. They have encouraged Pete to plead guilty, but apparently Pete is listening to his legal counsel. I don't see this case going to trial, but I believe there will be an attempt to delay going to prison.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it necessary for his wife to stand by him at his hearings and to sign his bail???? VERY disturbing.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone think this will even make the national media? When this goes to trial, will it then? Or, when he's sentenced?
ReplyDeleteConcerning his wife: Does anyone who knows her think she'll continue their marriage after he's locked up? People say he's NEVER going to get out, so that's horrible if she's never able to move on with her life.
How horrible to even share that name.
when will they announce the final verdict on Pete?
ReplyDeleteWhen will we know the final verdict on him?
ReplyDeleteThe FINAL VERDICT is in: He is a phony. Behind is facade is INDESCRIBABLE EVIL. Everyone knows it.
ReplyDeleteI would think the final verdict on Pete won't come until there is either a trial, or a plea of guilty before such a trial.
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone know what is supposed to happen at the January 21st hearing?
Is this the best place to get the latest updates and comments on this sad saga?
ReplyDeleteWhat responsibility will Kanakuk Camps assume in all of this? I know the other Kanakuk counselors didn't know about the abuse but didn't anyone know Newman was taking young boys on vacations and inviting boys to his private home? If they didn't, shouldn't they have? He was doing this for almost 10 years. They allowed Newman to break their own rule of having 2 Kanakuk counselors with a child at all times. I was told numerous times by other parents and K counselors about how safe Kanakuk camps are because of this and other safety rules. What is the point of having rules if no one inforces them?
ReplyDeleteI love how people here continue to bash Pete. He has a problem. A really, really big problem. What he did to those boys is a cause of something wrong with his mind. I'm sure Pete hates himself for doing it. I'm sure that he probably hated himself while he was doing it. He probably felt shame, but like a drug, he just couldn't stop it, and to open up at ANY point would mean prison time, so like any normal person, I can only assume he prolonged it as much as possible. Why did he turn in that letter? Was he aware that he was going to be prosecuted and did so because of that, or did he do it out of a guilty conscious? Either way, he's pleading "not guilty" because his lawyers have advised him to do so. This matter shouldn't make it to a public trial. This one will be settled behind closed doors more than likely.
ReplyDeleteMy point: it's easy for you all to stand as 3rd party members (myself included) and accuse, calling the man names and such, but he is just a man. And yes, he was given a lot of responsibility that he abused, but the entire Galloway family, Newman family, and Kanakuk family believes that God's grace is enough, for Pete, for the family, and for the boys. Many of these wounds may never fully heal, but its because we live in a broken world where these things happen. In my mind though, Pete needs Jesus just as much as the next man. Sin can be enslaving. But God's mercy is anew every day. I encourage you all to pray with me for Pete in the coming days and weeks.
To the last poster...it has not been settled behind closed doors!! These boys have be made to tell their stories and are still being threatened by a trial...a PUBLIC trial!! He needs to get a new attorney and stop this manipulation of these boys. He needs to plead guilty and go away so the boys and their families can at least put the legal ordeal behind them. Maybe then the harassment by idiots will stop and they can actually try to move forward and begin the healing process. Let God lead these boys toward forgiveness when they are ready and able. But it is time for discipline and punishment for Pete...both in the court of law and the church body. Don't conveniently omit scripture for discipline and just focus on forgiveness...it is all part of the process that must happen.
ReplyDeleteForgiveness doesn't mean forgetting what Pete has done...he needs to be disciplined by the "church" and punished by the courts. Forgiveness will come with time and God's leading...it would certainly help the healing process if Pete admitted publicly what he has done and changed his plea to GUILTY. He needs to hire an attorney that will lead him in this. He will go to prison...stop delaying for the sake of the boys and their families.
ReplyDelete5:06.......Wow. There are hundreds, make that thousands, of people who are SUFFERING because of this "man" you call him. And yet, your concern is for him. Wow. You sound like our government.
ReplyDelete