Summary

This case arose in 2005 in Arizona.
Manuel Archibeque was a Mormon church member in Arizona. According to court documents, he admitted to his LDS bishop that he had sexually abused a child. The bishop reportedly urged Archibeque to turn himself in to police, but Archibeque did not.
Archibeque was charged with sexual conduct with a minor and three counts of molestation of a child, all class two felonies.
The substance of Archibeque’s communication with his bishop was determined in court to fall under clergy-penitent privilege.
One case (S-0700-CR-2006008090) was dismissed in 2006 without prejudice. In the other (CR2006-011305-001), Archibeque pleaded guilty to two reduced charges of child abuse.
Facts
Alleged coverup
- Criminal: Convicted, Pleaded guilty, Unknown result,
- Church positions: Unknown position,
- Crime: 2000s, in Arizona, Maricopa County (Arizona),
- Victims: Multiple victims,
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Born: 1971
- Mission: no
- Places: Arizona, Maricopa County (Arizona),
Sources
- State v. Archibeque - Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County Cause No. CR2006-011305-001DT - Affirmed,
- Case #S-0700-CR-2006008090 - Manuel Joseph Archibeque,
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1. State v. Archibeque - Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County Cause No. CR2006-011305-001DT - Affirmed
[FLOODLIT note: this is only a brief excerpt]
The State of Arizona appeals the trial court’s order suppressing Manuel Archibeque’s confession made to a clergyman
2within the meaning of Arizona Revised Statutes (“A.R.S.”) section 13-4062(3) (Supp. 2009). For the reasons that follow, we conclude that Archibeque’s statements to his Bishop are protected by the clergy-penitent privilege; the presence of Archibeque’s wife during the confession does not vitiate this privilege; and Archibeque’s disclosures to his wife made prior to his confession to the clergyman do not constitute a waiver of the privilege. We therefore affirm the trial court’s ruling. -
2. Case #S-0700-CR-2006008090 - Manuel Joseph Archibeque
[date accessed]
FLOODLIT has obtained copies of court documents in this case.
Documents
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