Lawyers Debate Sex Abuse Claims Against Cult Leader

A cult leader used his organization to supply him with girls for sex, prosecutors said Thursday at his trial, while the defense told jurors that the claims were concocted by former sect members angry at being ousted.

The jury began deliberating the case against Malachi York on Thursday afternoon but recessed after 3 1/2 hours without reaching a verdict.

Fourteen girls and boys testified that York molested them from 1998 through 2002. Prosecutors charged York arranged for girls from his Muslim commune in New York to be sent to his neo-Egyptian compound in rural central Georgia in order to molest them.

“I hope, ladies and gentlemen, that you will not be swayed by schemes and plots proposed by Mr. York,” federal prosecutor Richard Moultrie said.

Seven witnesses testified that York did not molest them. Some said the accusations were part of a conspiracy by former members and York’s son, Jacob, who they said was angry that his father wouldn’t pay for his career.

“Jacob York has a vendetta against his father,” defense attorney Adrian Patrick said.

Patrick also questioned whether it was possible for York to have as much sex as the alleged victims claimed.