SPOKANE -- Attorneys for Morning Star Boys Ranch finished presenting their case Monday in a sexual abuse civil trial. The last witness they called, the plaintiff Kenny Putnam, was at times combative under questioning.
Defense attorney Jim King methodically went through what Kenny Putnam has said on the stand, in depositions, to doctors and to state officials. King repeatedly confronted Putnam over a long line of apparent inaccuracies.
Kenny Putnam was at Morning Star Boys Ranch from October 1988 to November 1989. In that time, he alleges he was sexually assaulted twice by former director Father Joe Weitensteiner and twice by the late Doyle Gillum, a counselor.
Throughout the morning, Putnam was abrupt and combative with defense attorney Jim King. King pointed out key differences between what Putnam said on the stand and what he said in earlier depositions. For example, Putnam told the jury he had reported the alleged abuse. But before the trial, he said the opposite. Putnam testified he was abused by Father Weitensteiner at his old apartment in the St. Patrick's Parish. Before the trial, he said the opposite.
Near the end of the testimony, it was revealed that Putnam's father and brother are both named Doyle, the same name as one of the alleged attackers. Ranch reports say Putnam's father sexually abused him. Putnam himself said in a deposition he beat up his brother because he found naked pictures of him in a foster home. Putnam reportedly beat up his brother six times.
Putnam's attorney tried to get three more witnesses to testify about abuse at the ranch. Judge Kathleen O'Connor would not allow it. Closing arguments will start Tuesday morning.
