Pastor’s Belief in Convicted Killer’s Innocence Is a Matter of Faith

David Baumann knows all about faith. He knows all about trust. As pastor of Blessed Sacrament Episcopal Church, he must practice both.

But what about his faith and trust in Bobby Janoe, now a convicted wife-killer sentenced to life without parole? Why has Baumann, a soft-spoken 45-year-old who has guided parishioners through some of life’s most unfair moments in his 20-year career, rallied to the cause of a man who, prosecutors say, bludgeoned his wife to death while she slept?

For starters, Baumann is convinced Janoe is innocent.

It’s Tuesday morning and Baumann is sitting in his small rectory office, speaking frankly about the Bobby Janoe who had a criminal history as a two-time bank robber and a drinking problem. That was the Bobby Janoe who existed before 1986, Baumann says, not the man he met that year and who, even as a long-haired biker, became a trusted parishioner to members of the Placentia church’s mostly conservative congregation. Not the man who stayed sober after attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, got a job as a diesel mechanic, greeted churchgoers at the door and conducted anti-drug programs for youthful parishioners. The new Janoe, now 35, is also the man who has written Baumann a couple dozen letters since his arrest more than two years ago. Baumann keeps them in a tidy green folder in his office.

That Janoe is not a man who could have coldbloodedly murdered his wife in their bed and then dumped her body a few miles away, Baumann says.

It’s just that neither Janoe nor Baumann can prove his innocence.

“The letters show a pattern of increasing depth,” Baumann says. “They’re saying, ‘I shouldn’t be here,’ ‘Where is God in this?’ ‘Why is this happening to me?’ ‘I’m looking for answers.’ ” Baumann says Janoe’s tone isn’t complaining, but searching.

In one of the letters, Janoe writes: “You are not wrong, Father Baumann, and thanks for standing by your convictions.”

“His questions are spiritual,” Baumann says. “Those are the deepest kind of questions. Those are the most convincing to me. He’s saying, ‘I’m trying to understand why this is happening to me.’ ”

For various reasons, Baumann doesn’t think Janoe got a fair trial. He then concedes he didn’t attend the trial, because he expected to be a witness and therefore wasn’t allowed to listen to other testimony. I tell him Deputy Dist. Atty. Lewis Rosenblum says the evidence, while circumstantial, was overwhelming. The jury deliberated just over three hours in returning a conviction.

I ask the priest if it’s possible he’s been conned by Janoe. “It’s possible. I think it’s unlikely but it’s possible, I have to admit that. The evidence against that is that I’ve had experience in areas like this before and so far I haven’t been conned, to my knowledge. And the pattern Bob established here over a long period of time is completely out of character with what he’s accused of.”

Baumann said it would be more plausible to believe Janoe killed his wife, Joy, in a momentary rage, but Rosenblum argued that the murder was premeditated.

Although believing in Janoe’s innocence, Baumann’s tone isn’t shrill.

“What’s important for me is the truth; not to get somebody off,” Baumann says. “If he did it, then he’s where he should be. If I were convinced he did it, I would still maintain contact with him, as long as he wanted it. And I would urge him to admit it and get right with God.”

Saying circumstantial-evidence cases are often more reliable than direct-evidence cases--because of the cumulative weight of evidence--Rosenblum said he’s certain of Janoe’s guilt.

As for Baumann’s advocacy, Rosenblum said, “He’s entitled to his opinion, but I would venture to say that people present a different image when they’re out in public and at their parish than their actions behind closed doors when they abuse their children and batter their spouses. There are a lot of people who beat up women and abuse children who are respected in the community. . . . They’re very good at manipulating people and putting up a good front, and a lot of well-intentioned people fall for their act.”

Baumann insists his support of Janoe isn’t an act of blind faith. He simply says he isn’t convinced the truth came out during Janoe’s trial. And although Baumann is steadfast in his support, the case is not an obsession with him.

“It’s not the one great thing I’m doing,” he says. “I told Bob I would pray for him every day and I do.”

Dana Parsons’ column appears Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Readers may reach Parsons by writing to him at The Times Orange County Edition, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92626, or calling (714) 966-7821.