Former Gateway Church Pastor Robert Morris Waives Preliminary Hearing

Disgraced former Gateway Church founding pastor Robert Morris appeared in Osage County court yesterday and waived his right to a preliminary hearing in his child sex abuse case, moving his case forward and paving the way for his October 2 arraignment.

Morris, who once pastored the largest church in the country, has been accused of molesting Cindy Clemishire she she was just 12 years old.

Morris’s decision to waive his preliminary hearing, where a judge determines whether there is enough evidence and probable cause presented by the prosecutor to send the case to trial, was expected. According to the SCLG, the benefits of a defendant waiving the right to a preliminary hearing include:

• avoid publicity since preliminary hearings are open to the public
• avoid preserving testimony by hostile witnesses that could later be used at trial
• stall the examination of state witnesses in the hopes they will be unavailable to testify at trial (perhaps because they are sick or will be out of the country, etc.),
• prevent evidence that might affect bail status,
• “minimize damage” by preventing the prosecutor from adding new charges or enhancements, and/or
• avoid publicity since preliminary hearings are open to the public.

Morris has pleaded not guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. If convicted, he faces 100 years in prison.

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