Bent Gets 10 Years

I'm finally home after a 14 hour day today covering the Wayne Bent sentencing.

Here's my KOB-TV coverage.

My friend Mark Horner of Beyond90seconds.com did a really great job of posting my tweets and putting together a phone interview I did with some video.

Today I wanted to do a video webcast with Horner using Skype. Unfortunately the type of broadband connection in Las Vegas, New Mexico was too slow for this.
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Wayne Bent to Be Sentenced

As Mark Horner pointed out earlier this month, Wayne Bent will be sentenced in Las Vegas, New Mexico tomorrow.

I'll be there for the early court appearance which begins at 8:30 a.m.

Bent could face a maximum of 18 years behind bars.

I'll be twittering the sentencing hearing from start to finish.
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On Vacation

I'll be here visiting family for Christmas, so I'll be taking a break from this blog as well. To all my readers, thanks for visiting this site. I'll see you again on the 29th when I get back!
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Poll: Voters Say Give Bent the Max

As you can see to the right, a handful of you voted on how much prison time you think
Wayne Bent deserves.

Most of you (68%) believe Bent should get the maximum sentence of 18 years:

As Beyond90seconds.com points out, Bent will be sentenced later this month.
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Breaking: Guadalupe Co. Sheriff Arrested for DWI

Update (2): As one reader points out, Robert Chavez is the uncle of Levi Chavez, who's in the middle of some serious allegations. Read about that here.

UPDATE......Here's the text from a NM State Police Press Release:

Santa Rosa – State Police arrested Robert G. Chavez Sheriff of Guadalupe County for charges of Aggravated DWI.

Early Friday morning Officers from the New Mexico State Police were advised of a 911 report of a possible drunk driver in a blue Chevy pick-up in the Santa Rosa area, Officer White while patrolling Old Route 66 just after 2:00 AM observed the reported vehicle with New Mexico license plate GGD460.

After the officer made contact with the reported vehicle the driver was observed violating a couple traffic infractions. The officer initiated a traffic stop and the driver was positively identified as Robert G. Chavez.

Officer White had Mr. Chavez perform a few standardized field sobriety tests and subsequently arrested Mr. Chavez for the following;

- Aggravated driving while under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug 1st offense.

- Failure to stop at a posted stop sign

- Open containers

- Failure to wear a seatbelt.

Mr. Chavez was transported to the De Baca County jail in Fort Sumner, NM where he was booked into jail.##

Just got word from a NM State Police spokesperson that confirms Sheriff Robert Chavez was arrested on DWI.

Earlier this year I did an investigative piece involving Sheriff Chavez.

State Police say he was busted early this morning at 1:30 while driving a blue pick-up truck.

State Police tell me more information will be released once they send out a press-release.

You can follow this developing story on my twitter account.
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Juror: Bent Deserves Max Prison Time

Today on this blog I'm happy to post a valuable insight regarding the Wayne Bent trial. A member of the jury has agreed to answer some of my questions in writing, as long as I keep that person anonymous. Here are the juror's interesting answers (the answers are unedited and are a direct copy/past from the email):

JJ: At one point during the trial, the jury had a question for the court. What was that question?

Juror: I wrote the judge a lot of questions some were asked and some were not. off hand I had asked How many wives does Wayne Bent have? never asked... Is Wayne Bent legally married? never asked...When we went into deliberations I asked for the judge to go more into detail on counts one and two? he didn't give that info to us. As far as the others asking question from what I understand he asked some and some were not asked I don't know the questions of the other jurors.


JJ: Prudence Welch is a former member of the church. She was on the witness list to testify. Would you have liked to hear from her?

Juror: YES!!! I never even heard of her until after the case and if she was the one that went to Authorities and she was a past member it would have been nice to know why her and others left "The Land" Defense attorney had witnesses that are members of the Lord of Righteousness. I feel that prosecuting should of had more witnesses.

JJ: What did you think about the efforts of the defense/prosecution?

Juror: From my understanding defense didn't have to prove anything he was innocent until proven guilty. As far as the prosecution well I would have liked to hear from past members although I did like that they had Dr Dinsmore testify and Dr John Melton. The older girl (AS) could have been more help with the prosecution but you could tell she has been traumatized by all this (just a guessing on that)

JJ: Were there any jurors that felt any sympathy for Bent? Anything interesting said among the jurors during deliberations?

Juror: I can not speak for the other jurors, but as for myself I felt NO sympathy!!!

JJ: Bent is facing, by my math, a maximum of 18 years behind bars. How much time do you think the judge should give him?

Juror: In my opinion I think he should get the maximum of 15-18 years and also have to register as a sex offender.

JJ: Do you think it was right for the judge to allow Bent to remain on house arrest pending sentencing?

Juror: NO... I feel if there are children there he should not be able to be around them. I feel that his followers, in there eyes he did not do anything wrong . But he did commit a crime and he should have to pay the price for it.
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Never Leave Home Without It......

A great post today by Carlos Miller about a NYPD officer caught on camera assaulting a bicyclist for no apparent reason.

Without the camera, the officer, who was stripped of his badge, would have never been caught and reprimanded.

Miller points out perfectly on his blog why having a camera with you at all times is so important:

Pohan [The Cop] would have gotten away with his crime had it not been for the anonymous Youtube video which proved that it was actually him who assaulted Long [the guy on the bike].

This reminds me of what happened to KOB-TV photographer Rick Foley earlier this year.

I always carry a camera with me, in a cell-phone form and through my iPhone.

A co-worker of mine, Jeff Maher, always carries one of these Flip cameras and has used it for his reporting.

I plan on buying one soon too.
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Bent: They Convicted the Son of Man

Wayne Bent's website was updated last night. Take a look here at strongcity.info.

Bent writes God told him about the verdict before it happened:

the Father revealed to me what the verdict was going to be. What came to me was, "guilty on all counts." I wrote 8:20 A.M. and GOAC on a piece of tissue paper

Bent also says one of the jurors said "sorry" during the verdict:

I refrained from hugging the man for I thought it was not after the decorum of the court. The court is very stiff and proper, you know, and is never allowed to feel.

Bent continues, claiming "The World" will now be judged because of this conviction:

Their day of destruction was assured. The Father in heaven will now judge them as guilty because they have judged His Son as guilty, calling His Son an impostor, blasphemer, and demon possessed

Beyond90seconds.com posted a video of the verdict and Bent's reaction from outside the courtroom (from Taos News).

What's interesting about the Bent post is what's missing. I didn't see any references to his fast he plans behind bars.
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Strongcity.info to be Updated with Bent Comments

To the right is a poll I created for visitors of this site. How much time do you think Bent should receive during sentencing? By my math, he faces a maximum of 18 years behind bars for his three convictions. Poll ends this Friday.

Now that I'm back in Albuquerque, I can keep up with my blog here. I'm closing watching strongcity.info, the website put together by the Lord Our Righteousness Church.

At this hour, there's a note on the website that says there will be a message from Wayne Bent.

Once I find out about the update, I'll post something on this blog. I've also received interesting emails from people about my coverage, including from one person who claims to be a juror.

I've sent that person a note asking permission if I can use the email without revealing who they are. This "juror" has been posting on beyond90seconds.com as well.
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Wayne Bent Trial Concludes

As I write this, I'm sitting in a cramped satellite truck with the heat on full-blast. There's about four inches of snow outside the Taos courthouse. I feel like the courthouse has been my second home for the past week. My 6pm live-hit is in about 30 minutes.

After six days of covering this trial, with endless videotape and note-taking, I saw a jury deliver a guilty verdict for Wayne Bent this morning.

See my KOB-TV coverage here.

I've also been contributing to beyond90seconds.com for my friend Mark Horner who used to work at KOB with me.

I have never covered a cult before. This is the first time where I've seen first-hand people dangerously obsessed with someone who holds so much power over their lives.

And there is no denying this is a cult, by a reasonable definition. Members of their church are obsessed and isolated. They thought the world would end last October. It did not, and the group has changed its narrative and reasoning for why we are still here today. And lastly, they have a leader, although they strongly deny leadership exists.

Throughout the trial I've watched Bent's followers surround him like fans do with a celebrity, but in their own quiet, strange way. Many of them looked upon him like a mother worried about a sick child throughout this trial. Perhaps they know his end could mean their own end in a way.

I have found members of the cult to be very polite and not aggressive, at least in person. Internet postings suggest they strongly defend their beliefs. They're all nice people who don't seem to be controlled when talking to them one-on-one. Most of them are articulate.

Bent has claimed that he will die behind bars after fasting, drinking only water. He says he can not stop his followers from doing the same.

Bent claims he is "not a dictator" and does not command anyone in his church. There is no doubt, at least by my observations, he is dangerously commanding them. He uses his "visions" and references his "voice from God" as his command. He essentially commands without commanding. To put it into the words of former cult member Prudence Welch, "He doesn't have to say anything."

His cult's website proves Wayne Bent is at the center of their identity.

Bent's attorney Sarah Montoya defended her client, with what seemed to be a genuine compassion. She was appointed by the state to represent Bent. Montoya says she plans an appeal if her client agrees with it.

Bent says he will not survive in prison and will likely fast, drinking only water. I do hope for the sake of his followers, nobody will hurt themselves and commit slow suicide if that is indeed Bent's self-destructive path. His followers are good people, with families outside the church who care about them and worry for their safety.
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Bent Trial - Final Day?

It's 6:15 am this Monday morning. I'm waiting to be picked up at my Albuquerque home for the drive to Taos.

Day six of the Wayne Bent trial resumes today, starting at nine. I'll be wrapped up in the courtroom and will not be able to blog on my own blog about the trial.

Throughout the trial though, I've been posting twitter updates and have been filing reports for beyond90seconds.com

I suspect the jury will come back with a verdict today. It is interesting they did not return a verdict last Friday, before the weekend.

Bent's attorney told me Friday night she believes the jury is "having a hard time with this."

You never know what could happen in a jury trial.

At this point, I'm guessing I'll have 12pm, 5pm, 6pm, and 6:30pm live shots today--and if something crazy or unexpected happens with this trial, I'll be live tonight at 10pm from Taos.
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Bent Trial Day Three

For more complete updates on the trial, connect to beyond90seconds.com.

Because I'm a broadcaster, I have to devote my time to my televisied reports.

Mark Horner is eager to take my updates when I call him during trial breaks.

You can also check out my twitter for updates too and of course there's my KOB-TV coverage.
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Bent Trial Day Two, Mother Testifies

As I write this, it's 8:19 pm in Taos. I'm in my hotel room and a little bit wiped out from the non stop coverage of the Wayne Bent trail. Things will pick up again in courtroom tomorrow at nine in the morning.

Here's some of my coverage on KOB-TV.

Beyond90seconds.com by Mark Horner has been doing an excellent job of keeping on top of the trial. In fact, I've been giving beyond90seconds.com updates via twitter, email, and have also been doing phone interviews.

Sometimes it's hard for me to provide updates via the internet because I'm preparing for live broadcasts.

Props to Horner for doing an excellent job on trial coverage.
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Snow Delays Bent Trial Two Hours

Snowfall in Taos has delayed the Bent trial for two hours. Court is expected to resume at 11 am. I snapped the photo below just outside my hotel door:

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Trial Day One: "Bent Abused Authority" / "Bent Kisses Everyone"

Trial day-one for the Wayne Bent trial was quite interesting. Prosecutors and the defense opened up their arguments today.

Prosecutor Tomas Benavidez says he will prove that Bent inappropriately touched two of his teenage followers while the girls were naked in his bed. "Basically a religious leader in a community betrayed trust and abused his authority," Benavidez told a jury during his opening statements.

Bents defense attorney Sarah Montoya told the jury Bent did touch the girls on the chest, but not in areas that would be covered by a bikini. Montoya held up a Barbie doll to the jury to illustrate where she says Bent touched them.

Montoya argues the encounters with the girls and Bent were religious experiences, a "healing ritual."

"Basically a religious leader in a community betrayed trust and abused his authority."
-Tomas Benavidez, Prosecutor saying that Bent inappropriately touched two teenage followers.


"He kisses everybody in his church. He is a very kind, he is a very gentle man. He is not a criminal," Montoya told the jury.

Day two of the trial is expected to resume again tomorrow at nine in the morning.

We had some problems with audio during our early live reports. We identified the problem and hopefully should be able to go live from Taos without anymore technical problems.
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Arrived in Taos for Bent Trial

We arrived in Taos, New Mexico for the Bent trial around 9:30 this morning. Jury selection is underway without about 200 people inside the courtroom waiting to go through the jury selection process. Here's a shot of the courthouse below. It's quite a small place:

I can't show you pictures inside the courtroom yet. Media are never allowed to shoot the jury selection process.

I can tell you I can see Wayne Bent sitting next to his court appointed attorney. I can only see the back of his head and can't really tell how healthy he looks.

It's been reported Bent was/or is on a fast protesting his criminal charges. As part of his release orders, he was told by a judge to eat and be healthy for this trial. Bent's son Jeff is also here too.

I was told Bent's other followers are somewhere around the courthouse too, but I haven't seen them yet.

I'll also be updating trial elements via my Twitter account.
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Bent's Trial set to Begin

As I write this, it is 6:29 am in the KOB-TV newsroom. In a few minutes, Chief Photographer Bazz McLain will walk into the door. I'll load up my suit case and we'll head north to Taos.

For the next several days, we'll be covering the Wayne Bent trial.

You can look for updates here at at beyond90seconds.com throughout the trial. I will have a broadband card, so hopefully I'll be able to give updates to this site and to beyond90seconds.com regularly, even inside the court room.

I also anticipate some live shots during our early newscasts, possibly at Five and then at Six.
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Covering the Cult

He's a cult leader who has 45 followers and claims he is a "Messiah." He's also charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor.

On Monday, I'll be in Taos covering Wayne Bent's trail. He's accused of lying naked with two of his teenage followers at his cult compound in northeastern New Mexico.

Bent (known as Michael Trevesser among followers), has long claimed lying naked with the girls was a religious experience and that nothing sexual happened.

I hope to provide updates from the courtroom to my website and to beyond90seconds.com, operated by my friend Mark Horner.

I'll also be reporting live from Taos for my station for as long as the trial lasts. Five days has been set aside for this case in court.

There are a lot of details about Wayne Bent, his church, and his beliefs.

The most compelling information online is this documentary (in four parts on youtube.com) produced by Ben Anthony.

Another compelling online documentary, produced by Mark Horner, is also viewable online.

There's also the website of a former cult member who I was told will be at the trial.
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