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Case summary
Add info | Back to top09/07/05 California
LDS Christopher Todd Hettinger was found guilty of “19 counts of sex crimes against
minors. He sexually abused a 9 year old boy for 8 years according to court records. “He
was found guilty of 19 counts of sex crimes against minors.” “Both the defendant and the
vicim’s mother testified that they were members of the LDS church and met at the church.
The Mormon Church selected defendant to be the home teacher for the victims’s families.
Hettinger was sentenced to 30 years in prison and appealed on the grounds that the “trial
court erred in providing the prosecution with records he subpoenaed from Jackson K.’s
psychiatrist. Further, he argues the court erred in failing to instruct the jury with CALJIC No.
2.40 that character evidence could raise a reasonable doubt as to his guilt. Defendant also
contends the court erred in allowing testimony about Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation
Syndrome (CSAAS) that exceeded the permissible scope of that testimony and in failing to
instruct the jurors on the limited use for this testimony.”
But the appellate court affirmed the trial courts judgement and rejected Hettinger’s claims.
Court of Appeal, Third District, California. The PEOPLE, Plaintiff and Respondent, v.
Christopher Todd HETTIGER, Defendant and Appellant. No. C046755. (Super.Ct.No.
02F09970). Sept. 7, 2005. 2005 WL 2143640 (Cal.App. 3 Dist.)
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LDS/Mormon church membership history
Add info | Back to topLDS mission information
The accused did not serve a full-time LDS mission.
LDS temple marriage information
FLOODLIT is not aware whether the accused was married in a Mormon temple.
Alleged victim(s)
Add info | Back to top- Number of alleged victim(s) - note if approximate:
- Average age of alleged victim(s) at time of alleged crime(s):
LDS church response(s)
Add info | Back to top- Alleged failure to report by local LDS leaders? no
- Alleged misconduct by local LDS leaders? no
- Alleged misconduct by global LDS leaders? no
FLOODLIT is not aware whether the Mormon church paid any settlement amounts related to this case.
