The battle between a defrocked minister and his former church has moved from the pews to the courts and now into the realm of spin.
A statement posted Saturday on the website of the Rev. Donald Armstrong’s church about his plea agreement prompted Episcopal leaders to counter what they consider his misleading statements.
Rev. Donald Armstrong
On Monday Larry Hitt, attorney for the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado, released a full explanation of the plea agreement. On Tuesday, the Rev. Steve Zimmerman, priest of Grace and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, said in a memo that St. George’s statement is not accurate.
Armstrong was set to go to trial in October in 4th Judicial District Court on charges that he stole more than $300,000 from Grace and St. Stephen’s downtown between 1999 and 2006.
But in a plea bargain Friday with the Pueblo District Attorney’s Office, Armstrong pleaded “no contest” to one count of felony theft and entered an Alford plea on misdemeanor theft, which legally is an admittance of guilt.
Armstrong is on probation for four years on the felony count, court documents show, and there will be a restitution hearing to determine how much money he must pay back to Grace and St. Stephen’s. He’ll be sentenced before Dec. 31 on the misdemeanor charge.
Almost none of that was mentioned in the statement posted on the website of St. George’s Anglican Church, the Colorado Springs parish Armstrong founded after being defrocked by the Episcopal Church in 2007.
The statement acknowledges the Alford plea but not the felony count. It mentions the restitution hearing for the felony theft, but not that Armstrong will be sentenced on the misdemeanor.
What also bothered Episcopal leaders is that St. George’s response doesn’t acknowledge any wrongdoing by Armstrong. Instead, it resurrects the argument that the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado manufactured the theft allegations.
As of Wednesday, St. George’s statement had not changed its online interpretation of the plea agreement.
Read my story on the plea agreement here.
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if the letter is ok with the DA and the Judge, there is nothing the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado can do about it….
Why would St. george’s publish a false letter, because the continue to be misled by Armstrong, who should have been jailed for his crimes.
Pastor, there is no law against lying to anyone if you aren’t under oath. Armstrong can say whatever he wants as long as he doesn’t say it in court.
The DA and Judge don’t care what kind of fig leaf he tries to use to justify his actions to the court of public opinion.
Tiredoftheright – when Armstrong signs his plea, does he not also have to make a statement before the Judge or does he have to provide a written statement?
From the plea
9. Armstrong and his attorney agree in paragraph 7 of the plea agreement “that there facts and a factual basis” to support this plea.
10. Armstrong and his attorney recite in paragraph 9 of the plea agreement that “the decision to enter this guilty plea was made after full and careful thought….”
11. By not contesting the felony theft charge, Armstrong acknowledges the existence of the elements of the crime of Theft-Series ($15,000 or more), including that Armstrong “knowingly, (a) obtained or exercised control over (b) things of value (c) twice or more in a period of six months, (d) which was the property of another person (e) without authorization or by threat or deception, and (f) with intention to permanently deprive the other person of the use or benefit of the thing of value . . . .”
So, yes. His official plea acknowledges that a crime was committed and that he ‘knowingly” etc.
He can say what he wants outside of court but in the public record he stands as a self confessed thief.
Anything that ticks off the people who stole this church from all of us who paid for it all these years is great with me! Seems like these people are not satisfied with Armstrong being punished, they want to rub things in his face. This “church” is about as “christian” as a witche’s coven! Armstrong should not give in to these thieves!
Cindy with respect I believe Armstrong and the leaders of the Episcopal Diocese, need to step down.
The Reverend Donald Armstrong is an unbalanced human being, and while his mental state deserves compassion, his actions deserve punishment, a part of the gospel of retribution that I am sure he embraces…for others, but not for himself. I personally would not mind seeing how orange vestments look on him on a Sunday in prison.
Cindy: One of the more fascinating assumptions of this 3-year history is that those who left with Don are the only members of pre-split Grace who “paid for it all these years.” To substantiate that claim, one would have to examine the IRS records of all pre-split parishioners. I can speak for only one household, but I can assure you that for 25 years we have unfailingly supported Grace, and I know that many others can say the same.
Well, they’ve pulled the letter off the web site after Mark Barna printed the FACTS — guilty, felon, facing restitution and sentencing hearings. Don deserves more hugs!
How can you people…………….(the list is long). Amazing beyond words!
That is the problem pastor, you, like many others here, have lost all respect when it comes to religious issues.
Pastor, see how Richard B’s words sound EXACTLY like your former friend, moN?
I rest my case.
MMoM
Richard B. – how have I lost all respect when it comes to religious issues?
Is it because I am calling for Haggard and Armstrong and the leaders of the Episcopal Diocese to step down?
Pastor, on every story here in the religion section, you have made it your personal crusade to condemn these leaders. All without actually knowing these people or actually obtaining all of the facts of these stories. It bothers me that you feel it is your position of job to constantly be condemning them.
and again, why do they allow people like manitoumom to post in the religion section when all she ever has to comment on is her hatred of Christians and personal attacks on others? I have seen annoying trolls before, but never as bad as this one.
The fact of matter is as I have stated these men have hurt the image of Christ and the Office of Pastor…. An no, I am not condemn these leaders. Their actions have condemn them selves.
From promoting sin like the Episcopal Diocese.
To rejecting the leaders above him after saying he would submitt to them like Haggard
To setle out of court, that leaves a shadow of guilt like Armstrong.
So yes, they need to step down… again it is their own actions that have condemn them.
Now why are you turning a blind eye to sin?
Wow pastor! How does taking on other pastors actually HELP the cause of Christianity? I can see why people feel the way they do about you.
Is david you must ok with sin like the Episcopal Diocese promote
It is ok to rejecting the leaders above you like Haggard did, after saying he would submitt to them.
For a Pastor To setle out of court, that leaves a shadow of guilt like Armstrong has done.
Boy, the looneyjuice is flowing in his wine cup! David is correct on this one. What is this person’s problem other than pride and arrogance?