Attorneys argued in Douglas County District Court on Monday about whether videotaped statements a former church youth leader made to Lawrence police could be used at his Oct. 1 trial.

The 38-year-old man faces one charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. A woman who was in his youth group came forward recently and accused the man of having a three-year sexual relationship with her beginning when she was 15 years old. The suspect would have been 28 during that time.

The woman has said she notified police of her allegations nearly nine years after she said the relationship began because she heard the man, who is now married, wanted to return to the area to be a pastor.

Defense attorney John Kerns said Lawrence police officers improperly tried to coerce the suspect into waiving his Miranda rights during a videotaped interview at a police station in Riley County.

The man was not arrested after that interview.

“The officers’ words don’t match their actions,” Kerns said.

But Amy McGowan, a chief assistant Douglas County district attorney, said the defendant was aware of his rights because he properly utilized them during the interview by choosing not to answer some questions.

Chief District Judge Robert Fairchild said he would make a decision on the video before the trial.

The Journal-World generally does not identify those accused of a sex crime unless there is a conviction.