Another Old Case

WINGS has recently been provided with a Court record which discloses a lot of unpleasant detail which we won’t repeat. The extracts below are published so we can acknowledge and learn from the case.

The numerous positive character references from church members, friends, family and co-workers lodged on the court docket show that we cannot assess guilt or innocence based on our personal interaction with the alleged perpetrator. The victim’s testimony may be shocking and surprising but should not be disbelieved because of our personal relationship with the alleged perpetrator.

In this case, the perpetrator admitted his guilt, but if he hadn’t, the character references could have significantly affected the apparent credibility of the victim’s claims.

This case highlights that it is essential for all of us to actively prevent abuse, and to stop and identify perpetrators instead of passively waiting for God to do what is our responsibility.

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In 1988 Steven Phillip Morta of Tacoma, WA, (born January 14, 1949) was charged with two counts of Statutory Rape in the Second Degree of a child aged 11-14, a crime based on the same conduct or series of acts connected together, and/or so closely connected in respect to time, place and occasion that it would be difficult to separate proof of one charge from proof of the others.
He pleaded guilty to one count and the other was dismissed by agreement with the State.

He had been an elder in “The Way” but was no longer allowed to hold the Church meetings in his home after he was charged.

The family and friends described Mr Morta as a “loving, caring parent”; “trying to raise his children the best he could”; “tried hard to guide them and teach them good values and involve them in Church and sports.”

He was described by co-workers as an “honest, trustworthy, hard-working” individual. They described him as being helpful, highly intelligent, analytical and cooperative. They saw him as having exemplary character who is mindful of his children and an example of upstanding moral character.

His upbringing as a child was difficult which resulted in his being placed In a foster home at a young age, where he didn’t receive the nurturing and emotional support he needed, and then being in a seminary after high school for some years where his life was restricted and concepts were initiated which negatively affected his personal life. His emotional problems caused him to be hospitalized for several months when he was age nineteen.

Mr Morta reported an extensive pattern of abuse of the victim, stating that he has been abusing the child for approximately three years. He estimated somewhere around fifty to 100 different occasions with approximately ten to twelve of those occasions consisting of full intercourse.

Mr Morta was reportedly acknowledged being quite guilty and remorseful about his behavior. He recognized his errors in his thinking process as well as the damage he had done to [name redacted].

He stated that he was aware of the wrongfulness of his behavior, but “I prayed that God would forgive me for this and that I would never do it again.” He also reports that he rationalized his behavior by telling himself that it wouldn’t hurt [name redacted]. physically. Now he can identify this as a rationalization.

“I read the Bible, I want to do right, I’d go to church, it wasn’t enough to change my sexual drive”.

After willingly acknowledging his guilt and being willing to undergo therapy, Morta was sentenced in March 1988 to sixty days imprisonment, sex offender treatment, 24 months supervision, and no contact with minor females except in the presence of an adult aware of his offence. His employment with a major Seattle company was terminated.