Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 10, 1993 TAG: 9303100315
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FLOYD LENGTH: Medium
GALLIMORE AGREES TO HIRE A LAWYER
Elwood Gallimore, the Henry County minister charged with seduction of a 16-year-old girl he says he took as a second wife, has agreed to hire a lawyer to represent him at his trial in June.Gallimore previously had said he would decline the right to be represented by a lawyer. Instead, he said he would rely on the Bible - and its citations of men who had hundreds of wives - to defend himself in court.
Gallimore, 44, agreed to hire a lawyer after a brief appearance Tuesday before Judge Kenneth Devore in Floyd County Circuit Court.
"You need a lawyer, someone to hold your hand," Devore said.
"I really haven't thought about getting one," Gallimore responded.
Gallimore, who lives in Pulaski County, was indicted March 1 on a seduction charge and on two counts of taking indecent liberties with a minor. The unordained pastor of the Evangelistic Tabernacle in Bassett Forks preaches that if a woman accepts a man's marriage proposal, the two are married.
Gallimore also preaches that men can have more than one wife. Gallimore had been married 26 years when he decided to propose to Sabrina Simpkins.
The charges stem from the "marriage" in November to Simpkins, a Floyd County High School junior and a member of his church.
Devore told Gallimore the seduction charge carries a penalty of two to 10 years in prison if convicted. The indecent liberties charges carry a penalty of one to 10 years.
"Why don't you do me a favor and you a favor and hire you a lawyer," the judge said. "He can advise you and all. . . . You can tell the truth. Why don't you do that for me?"
Gallimore said, "OK."
A trial date was set for June 11. Commonwealth's Attorney Gino Williams has asked for a jury trial.