WICHITA FALLS ( KFDX/KJTL ) — The third day of testimony in the trial of the “pastor-teacher” of Rephidim Church accused of molesting three children over 11 years got underway on Friday, May 3, 2024.

Ronnie Allen Killingsworth, 78, of Wichita Falls, stands accused of six counts of indecency with a child by contact stemming from incidents involving three alleged child victims that occurred between 2000 and 2011.

Killingsworth is the founder and “pastor-teacher” of Rephidim Church, a non-affiliated congregation in Wichita Falls.

Testimony began on Wednesday afternoon, May 1, 2024, in the 78th District Court, with Judge Meredith Kennedy presiding.

More from the trial of Ronnie Killingsworth

• Details of child sex crime allegations against Ronnie Killingsworth
• Court documents alleged cult-like teachings from Rephidim Church pastor
• Testimony begins in trial of Rephidim Church ‘pastor-teacher’
• Alleged victims take the stand against Killingsworth
• Witnesses call Rephidim Church ‘cult’ in Killingsworth trial

Jacob Weaver, a former Texas Ranger who investigated the allegations against Killingsworth, returned to the stand to begin the third day of testimony on Friday, with defense attorney Chuck Smith cross-examining him.

A running live blog of proceedings on Friday, May 3, 2024, will be published below. Refresh this story often for the latest updates from top to bottom.

Blair was excused from the witness stand. Judge Kennedy dismissed the jury from the courtroom. The Court will be in recess until Monday, May 6, 2024. Testimony will resume at 9:30 a.m. on Monday with the defense continuing to call witnesses to testify.

5:10 p.m. — Vassar asked Blair how many children would have to come forward before she felt her children were unsafe at Rephidim Church. She testified that it’s not about a number of alleged victims, but about whether or not there was evidence and proof of the accusation.

Poole passed the witness back to Vassar for further cross-examination.

5:09 p.m. — Blair testified that she never stopped attending Rephidim Church because she didn’t feel her children were unsafe after discussing the charges against Killingsworth with her husband.

Vassar passed the witness back to Poole for redirect examination.

5:08 p.m. — Blair testified that she learned of the case against Killingsworth in the fall of 2023. She testified that she continued taking her church to Rephidim Church after she learned about the indictment with three accusers.

Poole passed the witness to Vassar for cross-examination.

5:04 p.m. — Blair testified that Killingsworth didn’t teach explicit sexual topics. She testified that Killingsworth would address a sexual topic if the word popped up in scripture, but he wouldn’t go into explicit details about the topic.

5:02 p.m. — Blair testified that she was encouraged to consult outside resources and “Google it” if they had any questions about Killingsworth’s teachings. She testified that Killingsworth doesn’t ask for money.

4:59 p.m. — Blair testified that since she knew a member of the church, she was welcomed as a visitor. She testified that visitors don’t come often, but when they do, they’re typically attending with members. She testified she still identifies as a Catholic. She testified that Killingsworth’s lessons were “extremely different” from the lessons she learned while attending Catholic mass.

4:57 p.m. — Blair testified she began attending Rephidim Church in 2010 when she met her boyfriend, who is now her husband. She testified she’s been a regular attendee since 2014. She testified that she, her husband, and her four children attend all lessons if they’re all well.

Hardin was excused from the witness stand. Poole, on behalf of the defense, called Samantha Blair to the stand.

4:54 p.m. — Hardin testified that the children at Rephidim Church are pretty well-behaved and didn’t just run around during breaks in teaching classes. She testified that parents are typically with their children during breaks.

Estes passed the witness back to Poole for redirect examination.

4:52 p.m. — Hardin testified that most of her family attends Rephidim Church with the exception of one son who left the church. She testified that she hasn’t had a relationship with her son since he left the church. She testified that she couldn’t recall the dates of the alleged assaults listed in the indictment.

Poole passed the witness to Estes for cross-examination.

4:50 p.m. — Hardin testified that Killingsworth never had one-on-one lessons with anyone alone in his office. She testified that members were allowed to ask Killingsworth questions.

4:48 p.m. — Hardin testified that during breaks in lessons, Killingsworth’s office was open, and many people would walk through the office. She testified that the only time he ever saw Killingsworth alone with a child in his office was with his granddaughter.

4:42 p.m. — Hardin testified that she has been a member of Rephidim Church since 1972 and has served as the secretary to Killingsworth since 1989. She testified that she wouldn’t have stayed at Rephidim for more than 50 years if she wasn’t happy with the church.

Shawn was excused from the witness stand. Poole, on behalf of the defense, called LaNita Hardin to the stand.

4:38 p.m. — Shawn testified that she had no information about what went down between Killingsworth and the three alleged victims in Killingsworth’s office. Vassar said that since she has no information about that, he has no further questions.

Poole passed the witness to Vassar for cross-examination.

4:38 p.m. — Shawn testified that the only child he ever saw Killingsworth take into his office was his own granddaughter. She testified that Killingsworth never discouraged congregation members from doing their own research on his teachings. She testified that Killingsworth never taught that former members who leave the church are enemies unless they go against the word of God.

4:35 p.m. — Shawn testified that she’s a longtime member of Rephidim Church. She testified that Killingsworth never gave one-on-one lessons in his office and that he always taught that that kind of situation was inappropriate.

Vassar passed the witness back to Poole, who had no further questions. Poole, on behalf of the defense, called Tracy Shawn to the stand.

4:30 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that no members of the Rephidim Church congregation who knew of the charges against Killingsworth contacted members of the prosecution or the Texas Rangers to give any information they may have. He testified that there’s nothing anyone could say or do to convince him that Killingsworth is a child molester.

Poole passed the witness back to Vassar for further cross-examination.

4:26 p.m. — Slaybaugh became very expressive from the stand. He testified that he has no idea why certain investigative measures weren’t taken by law enforcement when looking into the allegations made against Killingsworth.

4:22 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that one of the State’s witnesses and one of the alleged victims have been vocal about wanting to shut the church down.

Vassar passed the witness back to Poole for redirect examination.

4:20 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that, to his knowledge, the victims and their families have went through the entire process of bringing the allegations to trial and opening up their lives to intense investigation, and in so doing, snowballed the entire judicial system in an effort to shut down Rephidim Church, to his knowledge.

4:15 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that the families of the victims left the church of their own free will. “Why they won’t just go away,” he said. He testified that the families have never gone to the press or social media, but said the two families have gotten together in a conspiracy to shut down Rephidim Church.

4:12 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that Killingsworth addressed the charges against him with the Rephidim Church congregation after he was indicted. He testified that the indictment was an attack on him, and that if they wanted to close down the assembly, they would have to “pry the word from his cold, dead hands.” He testified that the families of the victims are attempting to shut the church down because they’re angry with Killingsworth.

4:05 p.m. — Testimony resumed with Vassar cross-examining Slaybaugh. Slaybaugh testified that when the rapture happens, anyone who believes in Christ transfers to a higher dimension. He testified that if Hilary Clinton believed as a little girl, then she’d transfer to a higher dimension as well.

Poole passed the witness to the prosecution for cross-examination. Judge Kennedy dismissed the Court to recess for an afternoon break. Testimony will resume at 3:50 p.m.

3:37 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that Killingsworth was known to give out gifts to children in the congregation as a way to make a connection with them. He testified the gifts are for the kids, but are usually presented to the parents. He testified that parents would go back to Killingsworth’s office with their children. He testified that he never observed Killingsworth go into his office alone with a child.

3:35 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that visitors were not searched at Rephidim Church. He testified that during breaks in teaching, the doors to Killingsworth’s office were opened. He testified that several people used Killingsworth’s office during breaks as a “thoroughfare”.

3:33 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that after Y2K came and went and nothing happened, the cabins built on the land near Thornberry stayed for a few years before they were removed and sold. He testified that individual members were given back provisions they had put in their cabins. “It’s better to have and not need than need and not have,” Slaybaugh said.

3:31 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that before 2000, concern began to grow among Rephidim Church members regarding a Y2K crisis at the turn of the century. He testified that Killingsworth, his son, and others were preparing to build on land near Thornberry in order to survive an impending crisis that may be coming. He testified that the church held a meeting to discuss building on the land, called the Martin Ranch.

3:27 p.m. — Poole attempted to admit into evidence a flash drive containing 32 hours of sermons from Killingsworth from 2001. Vassar objected because at no point prior to trial had he been given a copy of the flash drive and would need to review all 32 hours before agreeing to admit it into evidence. Judge Kennedy sustained the objection, and the sermons were not admitted into evidence.

3:22 p.m. — Poole questioned Slaybaugh regarding the structure of the church. Slaybaugh testified that there are several areas of the church with deacons as leaders and members of the church who serve as volunteers. A current volunteer list was admitted into evidence with no objection. Slaybaugh testified the church was structured the same in 2000, 2001, and 2010.

3:16 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that if something happened to Killingsworth, they would search for another pastor who is qualified and would want to take up the mantle, and it would be up to the board to find a suitable person to take over.

3:14 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that a church in Nigeria uses tapes sent by Rephidim Church as their teaching material. He testified that this church also calls itself Rephidim.

3:11 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that Killingsworth is the only teacher at Rephidim Church. He testified that if Killingsworth is unable to teach, the class for that day is canceled. He testified that Killingsworth’s teachings are listened to in several countries in Africa.

3:08 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that several websites list congregations with similar teachings to Rephidim Church and there are about 90 similar congregations in the United States. He testified that about two years ago, an airman found Rephidim Church through that website.

3:05 p.m. — Slaybaugh testified that he has been a member of Rephidim Church since 1980. He testified that he works at the church and assists the pastor-teacher with various tasks.

Poole called the next witness on behalf of the defense, Rusty Slaybaugh, a resident of Wichita Falls and a member of Rephidim Church.

Estes passed the witness back to Poole for redirect examination. With no further questions, the witness was excused.

2:59 p.m. — Bucci testified that Killingsworth told him the weapons found on church grounds were at the recommendation of an active deputy sheriff. He testified that Killingsworth said the active law enforcement official who recommended the weapons was his son, Allen Killingsworth, an investigator with the Wichita Falls Police Department.

2:56 p.m. — Bucci testified that he only interviewed Killingsworth before his testimony. He testified that he had no prior knowledge of Rephidim Church or Killingsworth’s teachings.

2:54 p.m. — Bucci testified that he did not do any other background research regarding Rephidim Church prior to testifying in this case. He testified that he was not aware of the charges against Killingsworth. When Estes told Bucci he was indicted on six counts of indecency with a child, the courtroom was silent.

2:52 p.m. — Bucci testified that he was paid $5,000 to conduct the assessment on Rephidim Church. He testified that he had not yet sent the bill for his testimony in this case. He testified that he’s done less than 15 assessments as he did for Rephidim Church.

Poole passed the witness to special prosecutor Dayve Jo Estes for cross-examination.

2:44 p.m. — Bucci testified that he did find firearms at Rephidim Church. He testified they were locked in the pastor’s office and included a pistol, rifle, shotgun, and extra ammo. He testified that it was not an armory, but that he was told those were the weapons recommended to the church by a deputy.

2:39 p.m. — Bucci testified that Rephidim Church was “ahead of the curve” regarding security due to the fact that the building no longer had windows.

2:34 p.m. — Bucci testified that the nursery at Rephidim Church was “the best-protected nursery at a church” that he’s ever seen.

2:33 p.m. — Bucci testified to more of the structure of Rephidim Church, noting that several places in the walls of the church were packed with sand in an effort to stop a bullet if someone attempted to shoot through the walls.

2:23 p.m. — Bucci testified to some improvements that could be made to increase security at Rephidim Church, including adding ballistic film on the glass front doors. He testified that the second layer of doors with a security checkpoint was very well done.

2:20 p.m. — Bucci testified that the use of off-duty police officers for security rather than armed and trained civilians by Rephidim Church was “better than most.”

2:18 p.m. — Bucci testified that he discussed with Killingsworth the emergency plan at Rephidim Church when he assessed the church. He testified the emergency plan at Rephidim church was reasonable, mentioning a shooting that occurred in Wichita Falls about 10 years ago was the reason they came up with a security plan.

2:16 p.m. — Bucci testified that he was asked to evaluate the security of Rephidim Church. He testified he assessed the security of the church in April 2024. He testified that he looked into the church’s procedures, personnel, and the physical structure of the building.

2:14 p.m. — Bucci testified that the issue of church security is currently on the rise, sadly, because of the rise in shootings at churches and schools. He testified that due to the openness of facilities like that, security can become “daunting” to balance the need for openness and the need for security.

2:13 p.m. — Bucci testified he works in the civilian sector to assist public spaces, such as churches and schools, to enhance their security. He testified he’s been a keynote speaker at seminars on church security, some on the national and state level. He said this is the first time he’s testified in a courtroom as an expert, but he’s testified before Congress in the past.

2:11 p.m. — Bucci testified that he served at the Pentagon and was there on September 11, 2001, when the attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon occurred.

2:08 p.m. — Defense attorney Ron Poole questioned Bucci regarding his past experience . Bucci testified regarding his extensive military background, adding he and his wife attend church together.

Killingsworth’s defense counsel called its first witness, Steven Bucci, who will testify as an expert in church and school security.

2:04 p.m. — Vassar asked Judge Kennedy to ask the jury if anyone had approached them outside of the courtroom to discuss the case. Vassar said he was informed before lunch that someone had spoken to a jury member making claims that the case was “just about a mad family”. When Judge Kennedy asked, all 12 members of the jury, as well as the alternates, said they had not been approached.

A hearing is held outside the presence of the jury to determine whether a witness for the defense is qualified to testify as an expert. Judge Kennedy ruled to allow the expert to testify.

1:43 p.m. — Smith requested the Court find Killingsworth not guilty based on the fact that the State failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt every aspect of the indictment. Judge Kennedy denied that request.

1:42 p.m. — Vassar asked Judge Kennedy to hold a hearing outside the jury’s presence to determine the validity of a proposed expert witness for the defense. Vassar said he has no problem with any fact witnesses, but requested a hearing outside the jury’s presence for any character witnesses. Judge Kennedy agreed.

Defense attorney Chuck Smith said there are some matters that they need to take up outside of the presence of the jury. Judge Kennedy dismissed the members of the jury to a recess in order to take up those matters.

Bill Vassar, on behalf of the prosecution, rested the case for the state.

1:32 p.m. — Vassar asked that the Court take judicial notice of the date on the indictment.

Vassar passed the witness back to Smith, who had no further questions. Torrance was excused from the witness stand.

1:32 p.m. — Torrance testified that if someone is coached to lie, it is typically more difficult to come up with sensory and peripheral details.

1:31 p.m. — Torrance testified that an alleged victim giving inconsistent statements could be caused by multiple factors, including the time between an outcry and a trial and the person who was asking the victim questions about the abuse. Torrance testified that if an interviewer doesn’t ask a certain question, the alleged victim could think that detail is irrelevant and they may not bring it up unless someone else asks them about it.

Smith passed the witness back to Vassar for redirect examination.

1:29 p.m. — Smith asked Torrance if an adult giving a child a gift could just be because the adult is a nice guy and that it’s not necessarily abuse. Torrance testified that grooming occurs when those things are done specifically to gain access to sexually abuse the child.

1:28 p.m. — Torrance testified that she recalled one of the victims telling Weaver in an interview that she wasn’t aware that the sexual assault by Killingsworth was wrong at the time.

1:25 p.m. — Smith questioned Torrance regarding statements made by the victims in several interviews with former Texas Ranger Jake Weaver. She testified that she didn’t recall many of the specific details Smith asked her about.

1:20 p.m. — Torrance testified that when reviewing the statement of one of the alleged victims, the victim said she had made Killingsworth angry in his office because she asked a theological question that he could not answer and that the visits to his office stopped then.

1:19 p.m. — Torrance testified that inconsistencies in an alleged victim’s story could possibly be evidence of a false allegation. She testified that abusers will often act in a way that minimizes the risk of being caught.

1:17 p.m. — Torrance testified that sometimes, false allegations of abuse are made. She testified that there are several reasons a child might lie about abuse. Smith asked Torrance if a delayed outcry could be evidence that the child was lying, and Torrance disagreed but said it could happen.

Vassar passed the witness to defense attorney Chuck Smith for cross-examination.

1:16 p.m. — Torrance testified that there are certain positions that people will tend to automatically trust, such as that of a pastor.

1:15 p.m. — Torrance testified that in addition to spiritual development, people join churches for a sense of community and belonging.

1:14 p.m. — Torrance testified that it’s common for victims of abuse to give details that are more common because in moments of trauma, the logical portion of the brain takes a step back and the survival portion of the brain takes a step forward. She testified what an individual encodes during a traumatic event depends on that specific individual. She testified that trauma can “screw up” a person’s memory and brain.

1:11 p.m. — Torrance testified to the difference between script memory and episodic memory. She testified that script memory is more general and can typically be based on routines. She testified that episodic memory is more specific. She testified that children who are chronically abused will often recall the details using script memory because they become accommodated to the abuse. She testified that forensic interviewers are trained to listen for specific episodes when a child makes an outcry statement.

1:09 p.m. — Torrance testified that giving gifts or showing special attention can be a form of grooming. She testified that in a church setting, teaching about sex can be a grooming technique to desensitize the victim and their environment.

1:08 p.m. — Torrance testified that grooming is the way a perpetrator can gain access to their victims. She testified that it can sometimes be special treatment or gifts, but it may be threats or normalizing the abuse. She testified grooming is often more than just grooming the child, adding that perpetrators can groom a child’s environment, including their parents, to gain access to the child.

1:06 p.m. — Torrance testified that sensory details from alleged victims are important because they can corroborate their outcry statement. She testified it can aid investigators in determining whether or not the alleged victim or witness is credible.

Judge Kennedy called the jury back into the courtroom. Testimony resumed with the direct examination by special prosecutor Bill Vassar of Samantha Torrance, an expert witness in child abuse and grooming.

Judge Kennedy paused proceedings and released the jury from the courtroom. She indicated that a juror was having complications and needed a break. She released the Court to recess. Proceedings are set to continue at 1 p.m. following the break for lunch.

11:39 a.m. — Torrance testified that during a report of abuse by a victim, they will disclose two types of details; peripheral details and sensory details. She testified that peripheral details include the surroundings and location and that sensory details involve the five senses.

11:38 a.m. — Torrance testified that a person in a position of power is often put on a pedestal by child victims and that the victims may feel the person is “untouchable.”

11:36 a.m. — Torrance testified that when an abuser is in a position of power, it complicates the situation and that based on the abuser’s influence in their life, they may fear not being believed.

11:35 a.m. — Torrance testified that alleged victims that make outcries have a wide range of emotions, from crying and tearful, to very stoic and standoffish, to anger, all based on their personality. She testified that there’s no specific way that victims are supposed to react.

11:34 a.m. — Torrance testified that there are different types of disclosures by child victims; purposeful and accidental. She testified that based on her review of the interviews with the three alleged victims in the Killingsworth case, the outcries were accidental.

11:31 a.m. — Torrance testified that child sexual abuse doesn’t always happen when the child is alone and that it’s common for a child to be abused when other people are nearby.

11:27 a.m. — Torrance elaborated on why children may wait to disclose instances of abuse. She testified that some children are so young when abused that they aren’t aware the abuse is abuse. She also testified that some abusers tell children the abuse is normal. She also testified that children can also feel guilt, embarrassment, and shame, that they may worry about the repercussions on their families, and that they may love and care for their abusers. She testified that over half of the time, children wait to disclose sexual abuse.

11:25 a.m. — Torrance testified she reviewed the interviews of the three alleged victims as well as the police reports. She testified that child abuse is a complex subject because a majority of the time, children are abused by someone they know and trust. She testified when an adult they trust abuses them, it confuses their worldview. She testified victims tend to wait a period of time before they disclose instances of abuse, which adds to the complications.

11:23 a.m. — Torrance testified that a forensic interview is a nonleading interview. She testified she has conducted over 2,887 forensic interviews. She testified she has served as an expert in child abuse and child abuse dynamics in court before.

Vassar called Samantha Torrance to testify. She has been allowed by Judge Kennedy to testify as an expert in this case. She is listed on the State’s witness list as an expert in child abuse and grooming. She is the forensic interview supervisor for the Alliance for Children in Tarrant County.

Smith passed the witness back to Vassar, who had no further questions. Rosado was excused from the witness stand.

11:16 a.m. — Rosado testified that there are 20 questions on the questionnaire for post-traumatic stress disorder. She testified each question has a sliding scale based on the severity of symptoms. Smith asked Rosado if it were possible to misdiagnose someone who lied on the questionnaire. Rosado testified it wouldn’t be possible for her because she doesn’t diagnose patients until several sessions later.

Vassar passed the witness back to Smith for further cross-examination.

11:13 a.m. — Rosado testified that during intake, the alleged victim wrote she had been cheated on a lot and that her boyfriend had cheated on her multiple times after she was assaulted by a peer. Rosado testified that the significant others of victims of abuse don’t always have positive responses when they learn of the abuse.

Smith passed the witness back to Vassar for redirect examination.

11:09 a.m. — Rosado testified that during a session with the alleged victim in December 2020, the victim disclosed an alleged sexual assault in a church setting when she was a child. She testified that she reported the abuse to CPS. She testified that the victim said she did not know the alleged assault was inappropriate when she was a child.

11:05 a.m. — Rosado testified that she did not note a timeline of events in the victim’s life that were traumatic. She testified that had she seen a graphic timeline that noted the victim said she was assaulted by Killingsworth when she was a child, she would have been mandated to report that instance. She testified that during intake procedures and during early sessions with the alleged victim, no incidents of abuse by Killingsworth were noted.

11:01 a.m. — Smith questioned Rosado regarding her intake procedures. Rosado testified that a part of the intake process is for the patient to describe their past relationships. Rosado testified that the victim said her boyfriend during the assault by a fellow high school student had been unfaithful multiple times.

10:58 a.m. — Rosado testified that she did not consult prior counseling records when evaluating the first alleged victim of Killingsworth. She testified she looks at the patient with a fresh set of eyes.

10:56 a.m. — Judge Kennedy calls the jury back into the courtroom. Jennyfer Rosado returns to the witness stand with defense attorney Chuck Smith cross-examining her.

Outside of the jury’s presence, a Rule 702 Hearing is held to determine whether expert testimony expected to be given by a witness the State intends to call is well-grounded and not just speculative.

Following the hearing, Judge Kennedy determined the witness to be an expert and granted the request by the State to allow her expert testimony. The defense request to review literature the expert will be referencing. Judge Kennedy allows a few moments for review.

Judge Kennedy dismissed the Court to recess for a morning break. Testimony will resume with Rosado on the stand for cross-examination.

10:00 a.m. — Rosado testified that during a specific session on December 28, 2020, the alleged victim told her there was an instance of child sexual abuse that happened in a church setting. She testified that she reported the instance of abuse to the online system of Child Protective Services. She testified that the victim stopped attending therapy in April 2021 and they never delved into the alleged abuse that happened in the church setting.

9:56 a.m. — Rosado testified that during a specific session in August 2020, the victim said she was worried her case wouldn’t go anywhere. Rosado testified that this type of worry is universal among sexual assault victims.

9:52 a.m. — Rosado testified that PTSD is a feedback loop that never closes. She testified that with PTSD, an event in the present can trigger memories of a past traumatic event to the point that something ordinary can cause a person to “go back” to the traumatic event.

9:48 a.m. — Rosado testified the alleged victim said she had a complicated relationship with her parents. She testified the victim said she needed help coping with a sexual assault committed by a fellow student when she was in high school. She testified the victim met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder.

9:45 a.m. — Rosado testified that in 2020, she began seeing a client who is the first alleged victim in the Killingsworth case. She testified the victim came to her to help lessen her paranoia. She testified the victim had trouble sleeping, crying spells, panic attacks, distressing dreams, disassociation, and low energy.

9:42 a.m. — Rosado testified that she is a trauma counselor. She testified she’s a licensed professional counselor who owns a practice called Selah Trauma Counseling Center .

With no further questions from the defense or the prosecution, Kelley was released from the stand. Vassar called Jennyfer Rosado to the stand.

9:39 a.m. — Sgt. Jones testified that the alleged victim in this case didn’t work at Patsy’s House which he was aware of.

Vassar passed the witness to the defense. Killingsworth’s lead defense attorney, Chuck Smith, began cross-examination of Sgt. Jones.

9:38 a.m. — Sgt. Jones testified that if he believed an alleged victim wasn’t credible, he would close out the case. He testified that in the case of this victim, he did not find she was not credible and kept the case open.

9:35 a.m. — Vassar questioned Sgt. Jones about the process by which the police file a case with the District Attorney’s office. Sgt. Jones testified that currently, Wichita Falls has no digital case filing system, so no digital footprint exists for cases filed by police. Sgt. Jones testified that in this case, he was unaware of what happened to this case. He testified the District Attorney’s office never got the case, so it was later taken back to the District Attorney’s office.

9:31 a.m. — Sgt. Jones testified that during a forensic interview, the victim disclosed that unwanted touching had occurred from the suspect in this case. Sgt. Jones testified he later attempted to speak to the suspect at Iowa Park High School, but he terminated the interview. He testified the victim sent screenshots of text messages between herself and the suspect, and he stated his opinion on the offense changed.

9:26 a.m. — Sgt. Jones testified that in 2019, he investigated a child abuse case involving a suspect who was 16 at the time of the incident, but 17 when the investigation started. He testified that the victim in this particular case is also a victim in the Killingsworth case.

9:24 a.m. — Sgt. Jones testified he’s been with the WFPD for 11 years. He testified he is the patrol supervisor, and he’s currently on duty. He testified he was a Crimes Against Children detective for several years, until April 2022. He testified his primary job involved adult offenders.

With no further questions from the defense or the prosecution, Kelley was released from the stand. Vassar called Sgt. Michael Jones with the Wichita Falls Police Department.

9:21 a.m. — Kelley testified that he did not give Allen Killingsworth the names of the complaining witnesses when they spoke.

Vassar passed the witness back to Smith for further cross-examination of Kelley.

9:19 a.m. — Kelley testified he was indeed “at a loss” when he took over the investigation. He testified that he was no longer at a loss, that he went into the investigation with an open mind, and throughout the process of the investigation, he formed his own opinion. He testified that he believed “this actually happened.”

9:17 a.m. — Kelley testified that there can often be confusion for someone who doesn’t work in the criminal investigation world confusing a lawsuit with a court case.

Smith passed the witness back to Vassar, who began redirect examination of Kelley.

9:13 a.m. — Smith questioned Kelley as to whether or not he felt it would be prudent for a church to have armed security to defend itself against a possible shooting. Kelley testified his personal belief was that it’s a good idea for anyone to be able to defend themselves in the event that they’re attacked.

9:11 a.m. — Smith continued questioning Kelley about his investigation into the claims against Killingsworth. Kelley testified he never attempted to obtain recordings of Killingsworth’s teachings from Rephidim Church, and he never attempted to walk into the church during a regular meeting.

9:07 a.m. — Kelley testified that he never went to Rephidim Church during the course of his investigation. Smith questioned how many cases Kelley has investigated where he never went to the crime scene. Kelley testified it isn’t uncommon in child sexual assault cases for the investigator to not go to the crime scene.

9:04 a.m. — Kelley testified that the issue of a lawsuit came up when he spoke with the parents of the alleged victims. He testified the mother said her sister wanted her to make everything public and file a lawsuit.

9:02 a.m. — Kelley testified that after he spoke with the parents of one of the alleged victims. He testified that in that conversation, he said the case wasn’t making much sense and there were still things he was trying to piece together. He testified the victim’s parents said they feared the testimony of the oldest of the three alleged victims, stating, “Her hair is pink, she hates authority and she hates Christianity.”

Vassar passed the witness to the defense. Killingsworth’s lead defense attorney, Chuck Smith, began cross-examination of Kelley.

8:53 a.m. — Kelley testified that Allen Killingsworth gave her a list of names to contact. He testified that after contacting several of those individuals, they provided no new information in the case. He testified they did not question the validity of the alleged victims.

8:50 a.m. — Kelley testified that he spoke with several current members of Rephidim Church, and the first person he spoke to was Allen Killingsworth, the son of Ron Killingsworth, who is an investigator with the Wichita Falls Police Department. He testified that Allen Killingsworth questioned the validity of the alleged victims.

8:48 a.m. — Kelley testified he inherited the case from Weaver. He testified that he sought to investigate “another side” of the story and wanted to see if anyone else had a different story to tell than the ones who spoke with Weaver.

8:42 a.m. — Vassar began direct examination of Kelley, who testified he’s been a Texas Ranger for about six years. He testified he began recruit school in 2008, and upon graduation, he was a DPS trooper in Wise County. In January 2019, he became a Texas Ranger.

Special Prosecutor William Vassar called the next witness on behalf of the state, Matt Kelley, a Texas Ranger who investigated the Killingsworth case after Weaver transferred to the DPS Criminal Investigation Division.

8:39 a.m. — Weaver testified that he found no record of a diagnosis for DPDR for one of the alleged victims in his report. Smith stated he had no further questions. Special Prosecutor William Vassar stated he had no further questions. Weaver was excused from the witness stand.

8:37 a.m. — Testimony resumed in the 78th District Court, with Judge Meredith Kennedy calling the jury of seven men and five women back into the courtroom. Killingsworth’s defense attorney Chuck Smith continued cross-examining the witness, former Texas Ranger Jake Weaver, who initiated the allegations against Killingsworth.

Bill Vassar and Dayve Jo Estes with the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office have served as special prosecutors in this case while Chuck Smith and Ron Poole have served as defense counsel for Killingsworth.

If the jury of seven men and five women find Killingsworth guilty, he faces up to 20 years in prison on each of the six counts alleged in the indictment.

This is a developing story. Stick with Texoma’s Homepage for updates as more information becomes available. All individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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