UPDATE: Allegation of rape on second day of trial

The second of two reported victims in the Carlton F. Hammonds sexual abuse trial shook the Glenn County Superior Court today when she testified that the former Baptist minister had raped her.

“You wanted to ambush Pastor Hammonds,” defense attorney Adam B. Ryan countered in cross examination. “You wanted to surprise him and have a courtroom moment like on TV.”

The woman replied she was scared.

“I was scared to say stuff like that. I didn’t trust anyone. I told as much as I could have at that time,” said the woman, who is now 19.

The allegations against Hammonds, the former pastor at Willows Baptist Church, focus on reported abuses against two girls in 2006.

Rape had never been part of the case until the reported victim dropped the bombshell during the second day of testimony at the Orland courthouse.

The accusation clearly surprised even Assistant District Attorney Dwayne Stewart, who rested his case, as did Ryan after Hammonds testified.

The defendant admitted that he hugged members of his congregation and even told them he loved them, but never in a sexual manner.

He denied any wrongdoing.

Judge Peter B. Tweed ended the day's proceedings at about 2:40 p.m. He is scheduled to give the jury of eight women and four men instructions Wednesday morning.

Follow this web site for a complete story on the day's courtroom events, or read the Willows Journal on Wednesday.