was an LDS church member in Salt Lake County, Utah; found guilty of sexual abuse of child and sodomy on a child; charges were reversed on appeal when child recanted her story

Homer Lewis Van Matre was a mormon in Salt Lake County, Utah. Van Matre reportedly removed the child from school multiple times to sexually abuse her. Van Matre was found guilty in 1984 and was found guilty of sexual abuse of a child and sodomy on a child. Van Matre later appealed and the child recanted her story. Though many expert witnesses said the graphic nature of the victims account as well as physical examination by doctors of the child felt that these were enough to confirm the abuse. In the court appeal the charges were ultimately reversed.

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Facts

Sources

  1. State v. Van Matre, Case Text, June 30, 1989.
  2. Homer Lewis Van Matre, , June 26, 2025.

Documents

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