ANAHEIM : Admitted Molester Loses Slander Suit

An Anaheim man who admitted molesting a 17-year-old in a synagogue and then sued the victim’s family and temple officials, claiming that they exaggerated his offense, was not slandered, a Superior Court jury decided Tuesday.

After deliberating less than six hours, the jury determined that statements made by the victim’s family to officials at Temple Beth Emet were not maliciously aimed at the plaintiff, Robert Taylor. Several jurors said the case was unusual and sad, but not too difficult to decide.

“We felt bad for both parties,” said Susan Kerns, the jury forewoman. “We felt that the plaintiff really needs recovery and felt real compassion for the defendants.”

In his defamation suit, Taylor said the victim’s family falsely accused him of molesting the boy for a period of more than eight years and of sodomizing him. Taylor, who denied committing either of those crimes, pleaded guilty in August, 1989, to one count of molestation and was sentenced to six months in jail.

Taylor, who acted as his own attorney, filed the suit because he said his reputation was ruined by the comments. After his conviction, Temple officials expelled him from the synagogue.

Even though he believes he is right, Taylor said after the verdict that the trial may not have been worth the misery it caused.

“When I look and I see the hurt I have done to the victim’s family, to my own family . . . I don’t know if it was worth it.”