Barton said that his office would file motions to void the sentencing and unseal all records, “because the public has a right to know what transpires when a gross miscarriage of justice occurs.” He also indicated that he planned to request that other jurisdictions prosecute the case, since the abuse allegedly crossed state lines.
Whiteside has now been rearrested and charged with transporting a minor across state lines for sexual purposes.
“I want to emphasize that crimes against children will not be tolerated in Desoto County. We are committed to pursuing justice and protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, the children,” said Desoto County Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle during a press conference Thursday (Oct. 23).
Earlier this week, Judge Andrew Howorth, who handed down Whiteside’s house arrest sentence, filed a motion to recuse himself from the case, saying that District Attorney Barton’s portrayal of information in the case has been “selective and decidedly unnuanced.”
Howorth expressed that the public scrutiny surrounding the case coupled with Barton’s public criticism has harmed Howorth’s credibility as an impartial judge. Howorth is also recusing himself from any other cases prosecuted by Barton or his office.
When ChurchLeaders reached out to Getwell for comment, the church provided a letter that had been sent to congregants. In the letter, Getwell Church said that last year, “a student’s family met with Getwell’s Executive Team concerning the alleged misconduct of Lindsey Whiteside, revealed through some text messages exchanged with the student.”
“We met with Lindsey just hours later, and she shared enough at that time that it was evident that the situation was grounds for immediate dismissal and further investigation,” the letter continued. “Her employment at Getwell Church was terminated during that meeting, we told her that we would not and could not stand in the way of any consequences that arose from her actions.”
The church said that following the meeting, leadership immediately contacted authorities and later informed the congregation that Whiteside had been terminated.
RELATED: While Some Think Robert Morris’ Prison Term Is Too Short, a Texas Attorney Says It’s ‘Appropriate’
Getwell Church further stated that on the advice of legal counsel, no one from the church’s staff was present at the courthouse for Whiteside’s sentencing. However, the church said, “A member of Getwell’s Board of Elders, and a friend of the victim’s family, was present in support of the victim and family at their request.”
