PASTOR TRIAL: Jury Deliberating Case

A Dallas County jury is deciding the fate of a former Pella pastor.

Forty-two year old Patrick Edouard is accused of sexually abusing three women and sexually exploiting four women. 

Prosecutors claim he used his collar as his con to engage in a pattern of crimes from 2006 to 2010. They say he only pulled them off because of his role as pastor at Covenant Reformed Church.

But in closing arguments, Edouard’s defense says there isn’t any evidence in the case — only the women’s words against his. His attorneys also dispute claims that Edouard was providing mental health services to any of the women.

The jury began deliberating Thursday a little after 2:00 p.m. and left for the day at 4:30 p.m. Deliberations will continue Friday morning.