Adel —
The trial of former Pella pastor Patrick Edouard is scheduled to begin in Dallas County next week.
Edouard is charged with three counts of third-degree sexual abuse and four counts of sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist. He allegedly forced sexual contact on at least three women while serving as the minister from 2003-10. Each sexual abuse complaint included statements that Edouard told the women that if they reported the abuse, no one would believe them. In one case, he told the woman that her husband would not forgive her.
A closed hearing on pretrial motions is expected to be held before Monday, the date scheduled for jury selection. Evidence presentation in the trial is expected to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 14.
The trial was moved to Dallas County, due to pretrial publicity. The Iowa Attorney General's Office is prosecuting the case because Marion County Attorney Ed Bull has a conflict of interest.


