CAMARILLO : Testimony Prompts Call for Mistrial

A woman who says she was molested as a child by a Camarillo church teacher told her story to a jury Thursday, prompting a request for mistrial when she unexpectedly testified that another girl had been victimized as well.

Superior Court Judge Ken W. Riley said he was “very concerned” about the woman’s testimony against Robert C. Rose, who is charged with molesting a 13-year-old girl last year.

Although he denied the defense request for a mistrial, Riley halted the prosecutor’s questioning of the 23-year-old woman and blocked the appearance of another witness in an attempt to minimize the potential damage.

The woman’s testimony was intended to bolster the prosecution’s case by showing that Rose had a history of molestation.

Rose, 49, is not charged with molesting the woman because the statute of limitations has expired on the alleged act, prosecutors said.

Before the trial began, Riley ruled that the woman could testify about what Rose did to her. At the same time, the judge precluded the testimony of two others who claim Rose molested them as children.

While the woman was testifying, she unexpectedly said that another girl was with her on one occasion and also participated in sexual activity with Rose. Defense attorney James M. Farley strenuously objected, saying the jury had been tainted by the information.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Saundra T. Brewer responded that she cannot control what a witness says and she did not know the woman was going to mention another person.

Rose is charged with 10 felony child molestation charges involving the 13-year-old girl. At the time of the alleged offenses, he was director of the youth religion education program at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Camarillo.