Introductory Statement to the Press
by Stuart Lavin
Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for being here with
us this morning. Steve Wootten is here to set the record straight.
Mr. Wootten's desire was always to tell his story to a jury,
but he did not get that chance. In fact, Mr. Wootten vowed he
would stay the course and face these charges, which he has
done for 12 and a half years.
After all the publicity this case has generated over the years
we desire nothing more than to be sure that the rest of Steve
Wootten's story be known.
His heart for his children and the conviction of his faith prevented
him from making any deal or accepting a plea bargain, which he
had ample opportunity to do.
From the first plea bargain when he was first arrested four and
a half years ago to the last offer a week before trial just two
weeks ago, he rejected those offers because he could not and would
not plead guilty to any part of these charges, even though he
was facing up to 10 years in prison.
He has consistently stood his ground, insisting on being heard,
stating without equivocation that he was and is an innocent man,
who wanted nothing more than justice for his sons and his fatherhood,
so, in 1989, he exercised his sound parental authority and protected
his children as best he could. He took his boys and left Vermont
with a clear conscience. And he has a clear conscience as he comes
before you today.
I am a member of the Community in Rutland, Vermont, which is
one of the Twelve Tribes Communities in New England. I have been
a resident of Vermont for the last 17 years. Prior to joining
the Twelve Tribes community, I was Professor of English at Castleton
State College and Community College of Vermont for 15 years. I
am also Stephen Wootten's friend and we share a particularly unique
bond in that my introduction into the community was the result
of my own well publicized custodial battle regarding my wife,
who was also a member of the Twelve Tribes before I was.
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