UPDATE: In a stunning verdict, a Morgan Hill jury has acquitted Brett Bymaster, 49, a former youth pastor from San Jose, of 10 felony sexual abuse counts. The decision was reached on Wednesday following a tense trial in Santa Clara County, which saw lengthy deliberations and a split jury before culminating in unanimous not guilty verdicts.
The trial, presided over by Judge Stuart Scott, revealed a complex case that began in April 2024 when Bymaster was arrested after an investigation by the San Jose Police Internet Crimes Against Children task force. Allegations against him arose from both reporting and internal church reviews, leading to multiple felony charges being filed, initially starting with six.
Jurors disclosed that they were initially divided 11-to-1 on nine of the counts before ultimately siding with the defense. According to The Mercury News, Deputy District Attorney Christopher Paynter argued for the prosecution but failed to convince jurors that the state had met its burden of proof.
The implications of this acquittal are significant. With a criminal verdict of not guilty, the state cannot retry Bymaster on these charges due to double jeopardy protections. Nonetheless, civil lawsuits could still arise, utilizing a lower standard of evidence known as “preponderance of the evidence.” This shift allows for separate legal actions to unfold, which could expose Bymaster to further scrutiny in the coming months.
This case has ignited serious discussions about accountability and safety within youth ministries, especially at the River Church Community, where families had previously raised concerns about the handling of prior complaints. The church initiated internal investigations and acknowledged past oversights, prompting calls for enhanced safety measures in local youth programs.
Defense attorneys Dana Fite and Renee Hessling argued that the allegations against Bymaster were fabricated by a small faction of influential church families, which included claims of an approximately $2.1 million settlement demand. The church had reportedly set aside cash and property in anticipation of potential civil lawsuits, indicating ongoing tensions within the congregation.
As the dust settles from this high-profile case, the community is left grappling with its implications. Local leaders and families are demanding more robust safeguards around youth programming, indicating that the conversation about safety and accountability is far from over.
What happens next remains uncertain. Bymaster’s legal saga may have concluded on the criminal front, but ongoing inquiries and potential civil filings could soon emerge from the shadows, continuing to shape the narrative surrounding this controversial case.
Stay tuned for more updates as the community seeks answers and accountability in the wake of this verdict.
