HYPNOSIS- SODOMY CASE UNDER WAY

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 29, 1992                   TAG: 9201290227
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                                LENGTH: Short
HYPNOSIS- SODOMY CASE UNDER WAY
A man who contends he was sexually molested while under hypnosis at a stop-smoking clinic admitted Tuesday that his memory of the episode was enhanced by a subsequent hypnotic session with a doctor.
However, the alleged victim, a 31-year-old Virginia Beach businessman, also said he could not remember many of the things he told the doctor about the evening last March with hypnotist George Andrew Petersen.
Petersen, 34, faces charges of forcible sodomy and crimes against nature. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.
Moody Stallings, Petersen's attorney, sought to have his client plead guilty to consensual sodomy in an unusual arraignment Monday before a jury.
However, Circuit Judge John K. Moore rejected the plea and then dismissed Stallings' motion for a mistrial.
Moore sent the jury home for the day while the attorneys argued over whether the alleged victim's hypnosis by the doctor should disqualify him from testifying about what he remembers of the session with Petersen.
The businessman said he went to the clinic where Petersen worked for help in overcoming a five-pack-a-day smoking habit.
He said he went into what felt like periods of sleep twice, waking up the second time when he heard Petersen's voice and felt Petersen's beard on his face. He said his trousers were open, although they had been buttoned when the session started.
Opening arguments in the case are expected today.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB