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Riverside Church Sex Abuse Trial Set to Conclude This Week
- The first Riverside Church sex-abuse trial is winding down, with final witness testimony set for Tuesday and a jury to deliberate next.
- Riverside plans to call Dr. Steven Fayer as an expert witness to defend against Daryl Powell’s claims.
- Powell accuses Ernest Lorch of regular groping and paddling, based on testimony from multiple former players.
- Testimony also includes McDuffen’s accounts of abuse linked to Lorch, including claims of paddle and sexual conduct.
- Witnesses described Lorch’s alleged inspections and punishments, though some testified they did not witness wrongdoing.
- Riverside defense argued no notice of misconduct and limited personal knowledge among staff.
- Custodian Ramòn Ruiz testified he did not observe inappropriate conduct during his tenure.
- The trial also featured Riverside’s chief operating officer Natalie Fein detailing the church’s archives and lack of supervision guidelines.
- The case marks the first of 27 lawsuits under New York’s 2019 Child Victims Act to reach trial.
- Ernest Lorch, the former coach alleged to have abused players, died in 2012.
- The Riverside Hawks’ program director testified about his experiences and the impact of the program on his career.
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