A former pastor was sentenced to 12 years in prison for repeatedly raping his adopted teenage daughter.
According to Knoxville News Sentinel, a Knox County judge sentenced David Lynn Richards, Jr. – former pastor at My Father’s House Church of God in Lenoir City – to only 12 years in prison despite being found guilty of nine felony counts, including rape, incest and sexual battery by an authority figure.
Reportedly, prosecutors sought to sentence the 41-year-old to 72 years in prison, but many of the crimes he was accused of are only punishable by probation.
According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Richards maintained his innocence throughout the trial despite forensic tests matching DNA collected from bodily fluids on the teen’s bedframe to Richards.
Reportedly, Richards said that his adoptive daughter – Amber Richards – only accused him of rape because she is a defiant teenager who refused to submit to strict rules in the house.
During the trial, he testified, “I stand before you convicted of crimes I did not commit. I simply believe the system just erred in this case.”
He added, “I’m not sure why I’m here. … but I assume it’s for His purpose.”
Richards had a group of more than 30 people sitting on his side of the courtroom in support of him on Thursday. One person, David Thompson, who co-pastored My Father’s House…
… Read More
Click here to read the rest of the story from our content source/partners – Christian Headlines.