A Douglas County jury on Monday morning convicted a former Lawrence church youth leader of having a sexual relationship nine years ago with an underage girl who was in the youth group.
The jury found Christopher L. Cormack, 38, who now lives in Billings, Mont., guilty of aggravated indecent liberties with a child, for having sex with the girl who would have been 15 years old in 1999.
Amy McGowan, a chief assistant Douglas County district attorney, alleged Cormack had a sexual relationship for three years with the victim, including having sex with her before she turned 16.
The victim, now 24, came forward with the allegations in late 2007 after she heard Cormack was taking a ministry job as a chaplain at Kansas State University after he attended seminary in California. The allegations also ruined his career in the ministry before criminal charges were filed, according to trial testimony.
Jurors began deliberating Friday afternoon. They returned at 9 a.m. Monday and announced their verdict 13 minutes later.
Cormack had testified in his defense last week and expressed remorse for the relationship, but he said he did not commit a crime because they did not have sex until after she turned 16.
He faces anywhere from 55 months to more than 20 years in prison, depending on his criminal history. Chief District Judge Robert Fairchild has scheduled a sentencing for Nov. 25.
Comments
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The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
"Jurors began deliberating Friday afternoon. They returned at 9 a.m. Monday and announced their verdict 13 minutes later."What took so long?
mommaeffortx2 (anonymous) says…
weekend
kansas778 (anonymous) says…
"What took so long?"*******************Playoffs were on this weekend.
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
This guy didn't fool anyone.It's too bad. He may have had potential in ministry, without the sexual dysfunction thingy going on.It's been said before, but we should all be thankful and proud of the victim's willingness to come forward.
Confrontation (anonymous) says…
Wake up, parents! There's a reason many (not all) of these people get jobs just like this. Easy access to children. Don't give them any alone time with your kids, and keep the lines of communication open for your kids.
Raider (anonymous) says…
Hell hath no fury......
misplacedcheesehead (anonymous) says…
Well now, this IS good! Even IF this man were telling the truth about the sex not starting until the girl was 16, I'm glad his career in the ministry is null and void.Ms.McGowan, I see you still pick and choose at your leisure which sexual deviants you wish to prosecute, and which you don't, eh?
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
Uh, George - would you please reread your first sentence and then make the appropriate corrections?
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
That looks better - thanks!
onrywmn (Ginny Hedges) says…
"Amy McGowan, a chief assistant Douglas County district attorney, accused Cormack of having a sexual relationship for three years, including having sex with her before she turned 16."That sounds like he had sex with Amy McGowan before she turned 16. Surely, you didn't mean THAT??
blissfulwitch (anonymous) says…
Wow, avengingOJ, that comment is really sick and completely inappropriate.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
bndairdundat (anonymous) says…
On the other hand, if he was still here and enrolled at KU he might get 14 days and a slap on the wrist
badger (anonymous) says…
Bleah.That's appalling.A man of almost 30 engaging in a romantic relationship with a 15-year-old is unacceptable. OK, if you're 15 and your boyfriend is 18, fine, I can live with that.But a 15-year age difference, especially with someone in a position of authority, is exploitative. It's exactly what statutory rape laws were written for.
TheOriginalCA (anonymous) says…
This youth director was a jerk from the word Go! He is as innappropriate as many of the people on this board, so your attempts to group him in with Christians is lame at best. He routinely and openly made fun of some very good decent people in the church. He fit in perfectly in the university community. All of the snap to judgement baseless Christian remarks are far from accurate, so do yourself and the victim(s) (yes, there are several) a favor and refrain from the juvenile and degrading comments.
stonesend32 (anonymous) says…
OriginalCA, I thought we went over this a few days ago. You are passing judgement as well so maybe you should stop calling people out for doing the same thing. I guarantee that if you polled people that knew both of them, they would agree that what he did was wrong, but she was so persistant and obsessive and wouldn't leave him alone.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
toe (anonymous) says…
Looks like Chris is an ELCA pastor as Pacific Lutheran is an ELCA school. His wife is also a pastor or former pastor in Billings. Both graduated from Pacific Lutheran. Sick.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Somebody got disappearedededed. I guess that is what happen's when you post that not only do you know the girl, but that she was, "asking for it." Classy.
bizarre (anonymous) says…
How the hell would someone prove that 8 years ago they had sex with someone beyond a reasonable doubt?What was the evidence? underware stain...DNA....a secret video....baby...AIDS?Who the heck even remembers that far back!!!???? Much less goes to jail for it!
WHY (anonymous) says…
Until they name the church it is probably a good idea to keep kids away from all churches. In fact that may be a good idea anyway.
TheOriginalCA (anonymous) says…
Stonesend32, all I can say to your comment is "WOW." I had to go back and read it three times to make sure that I read it correctly because I am in such disbelief. Are you an adult? Christopher Cormack was thirty years old for crying out loud. I don't care if she glued herself to him, HE could have and should have restrained himself. Don't be surprised if more females come forward. Hold on to your hat, this aint even CLOSE to being over!
Dejacrew423 (anonymous) says…
Glad to see no one is still blaming the victim. This man is a pervert and I hope he receives the therapy he deserves. Thankfully this girl had the courage to see what happened was wrong and prevent it from going on with other girls.
cheeseburger (anonymous) says…
bizarre says: How the hell would someone prove that 8 years ago they had sex with someone beyond a reasonable doubt?What was the evidence? underware stain:DNA:.a secret video:.baby:AIDS?Who the heck even remembers that far back!!!???? Much less goes to jail for it!I agree. After this long, wouldn't it just be a case of he said/she said, with no real evidence? He may not be a saint, but I rather doubt she is either. If I was really disturbed about something, it wouldn't take me nine years to bring it to someone's attention!
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"Badger, it was not uncommon years ago for a man 25 to marry a girl 16. Look at genealogy records from the 1870s , even until 1910."Wasn't it pretty common to die at 40-50, too? Maybe the late 19th century and early 20th century are losing their relevance. But then, maybe not. Let me go put on my driving goggles and I can crank-start my model T and hit the road.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"I guarantee that if you polled people that knew both of them, they would agree that what he did was wrong, but she was so persistant and obsessive and wouldn't leave him alone."Errr. . . right. Did he ever, ya'know, think about telling her parents that their 16-17 year old daughter was being persistant and obsessive towards a man a decade older than her, in a position of authority over her, and at the Lutheran Church Youth Group? No?
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"Actually quite a few people born around 1880 lived into their 60s , just as now."Sure, but could that be taking advantage of the advancements this last century, in the tail-end of their lives?
Shardwurm (anonymous) says…
If the sexes were reversed and the victim was a male instead of filing charges he would be trying to hook up with her when she moved back to Manhattan.Life is so fun!
whatupdown (anonymous) says…
She knew the only way to attack him was to claim she was under 16, otherwise no attack, as she set out to do. Now the jury gets the Karma due them.
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
"And whatever happened to the "Free Love" concept of the 60s?" MarionSo banging 15 year olds is cool with you?
dweezil222 (anonymous) says…
The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says: Somebody got disappearedededed. I guess that is what happen's when you post that not only do you know the girl, but that she was, "asking for it." Classy.=======================================I don't know the victim in this case to pass any sort of judgment on her. I did, however, know some girls when I was in high school that intentionally sought out older men and tried to get some. It happens. And while I think 15 is too young, keep in mind that statutory rape/age of consent laws, just like any other legal age requirement, are completely arbitrary.
badger (anonymous) says…
hawkperchedatriverfront, those 16 and 17 year old girls a hundred years ago also didn't have options like college or careers, and I'm reasonably certain the vast majority of women (and parents of young women) would prefer 'college and a career and the choice to have a family when you're ready' to 'married at 16 to a man 10 years your senior.'But as I'm not the parent of a young woman, I may be incorrect.
PapaB (anonymous) says…
He was in a position of authority. Combine his abuse of authority with the age difference and you have a crime.
manus_flexibilis (anonymous) says…
cradle robbers unite@montana ave, shotgun willies, planet lockwood, etc.
jafs (anonymous) says…
Again, it doesn't matter what she was doing.If she was underage, and he was much older than she, he should have had the maturity to refrain from having sex with her.Especially since he was a youth pastor in a church!And, while it's true that the age limits are somewhat arbitrary, they exist in order to protect young people from their own lack of judgement/experience/maturity.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
I think I can summarize the majority of comments here. It appears that most are opposed to having sex with under aged girls unless they really want it, not a Lutheran, or it is a school night. As the girl admitted she was a Lutheran but really wanted it this case will never be satisfactorily resolved until we determine if she had school in the morning.
kugrad (anonymous) says…
originalca, I don't know where you come off with your comments about the man being a jerk and fitting in with the university crowd, but at least they expose you as a probable liar and someone who did not actually know him.I did actually know him, as I attend that same church to this day. I certainly do not condone what he did, it is quite obviously very wrong - but there was nothing about him that would cause anyone to describe him as a jerk. He fit right in at church, and was not a "university type," whatever that actually means. He seemed like a good youth leader, but it just goes to show you that you can't predict who will cross the line. To be honest, I was shocked when I heard who it was. If you knew him, you would never guess he would do this. This all happened a long time ago and the church fingerprints and runs background checks on sunday school teachers and volunteers, so, without a prior record, it is very difficult to prevent something like this. The church is certainly not to blame any more than one could blame the BTK killer's church for his behavior. You can take reasonable precautions, but that's about all you can do.My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife (ex wife?) and I hope he can find a career where he can use his many talents to do something good. He is not a bad person, but he used extremely poor judgement and now he will pay the consequences.
stonesend32 (anonymous) says…
Thank you KUgrad, I think that was very well put and I completely agree with everything you said. I also agree with the guy asking how on earth she could have proof that this happened 9 years ago. I think it's too bad that 9 years ago, he made a mistake, realized it and tried to move on with his life and now it's all being brought back up based on he said/she said.
Sigmund (anonymous) says…
stonesend32 (Anonymous) says: "I think it's too bad that 9 years ago, he made a mistake, realized it and tried to move on with his life and now it's all being brought back up based on he said/she said."Personally I would be more upset if he didn't make a mistake 9 years ago but was convicted based upon what she said.
TheOriginalCA (anonymous) says…
kugrad and stonesend32, self preservation will bring out personalities in people that you never knew that they had. Chris looked like a deer in the headlights many times during these church meetings. He had to have been very concerned that he had been exposed. I concur that we all have our challenges both known and unknown to others. I do also hope and pray that Chris and his (ex?)wife and their families are OK and that they get the help that they need. She needs help too because this has got to be quite stressful and damaging. We confronted Chris because he seemed to be deliberately excluding some kids and they were the same ones every time. We also threw in the "Why is Chris staying late at night in the youth room behind closed door with (victim name)?" Chris was going outside the lines on too many things and lied LIED... he absolutely LIED on this. He also innappropriately influenced a church election by leading an effort to discredit and trample one of the parents who was more vocal about him. Look, I hear what you are both saying saying, truly, and you are making some good points. You both saw the side of Chris that he allowed you to see. He was extremely manipulative, hence, his relationship(s) with underage female(s). He knew how to play the game and succeeded for a good while. Knowing what I remember about Chris, I feel as though he will persevere and get his life back on track and help others who have similar challenges. He does have a good heart, but very poor judgement and self control. Like I said to start, self preservation will bring desperation out in people.
shorty042784 (anonymous) says…
I cant belive this has happend its sad because i use to be in the youth group i know Chris and would have never thought of him doing something l ike that..I was in every function that Chris attented...When you go to church u are suppose to feel safe. I want to say witch church this is but i dont want anyone to think this is a bad church because it isnt.....wow i am still in shock....shame on you Chris
sweetone (anonymous) says…
I also knew Chris and the youth group loved him alot, yea he screwed up!!!!! Lets hope he can get the help so that this wont happen again. Its not the churches fault. I have been a member for alot of years and love the youth leaders that they have had. They all try very hard to hire people to take on our youths today, and trust me there arnt alot of people knocking down that door ready to deal with youth today. But for the ones who do we need to make sure they are safe, and they do have the safe guards in place now so that not just anyone is hired. I hope chris gets the help he needs and the same for the (now) woman she also needs councling . I want to say more but i dont want to be blogged to death with my own feelings on this issue.
rainydaze (anonymous) says…
A few random thoughts: Does anyone else wonder why we haven't seen pictures of this guy? And why was this story buried in the back pages of the J-W? If I remember correctly, the LHS teacher's picture was everywhere for days (and months), and she was only a few years older than the student. Were they going for sensationalism with Ms. Kane's coverage - just trying to stir things up? Sell papers? Is it somehow slightly more acceptable for this older man to have a relationship with a 15 y.o. girl than for a 23 year-old young woman to be charmed and ultimately seduced by an adult-sized, aggressive, physically mature 15 y.o. boy with raging hormones? Mmmm....Sexism? In both cases, there was definitely a lack of judgment and both of the older people should have stepped away from the situation. Why was the coverage so much more demeaning to her, though? Is it not such a big story because the judge in this case not trying to score political brownie points like the previous one? Also, why was Randy Weisman seen leaving the courthouse by someone we know just prior to Ms. Kane's sentencing hearing, He couldn't possibly have been trying to do some last minute influencing, could he?
Unknown500 (anonymous) says…
wow!