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challenge as Dr. Pearson failed to change the locks and risk to the community, usually falls within $50k-
alarm code on his home. They conducted a voodoo $250k range depending on the elements of the
ritual as directed by the Voodoo doctor. This last case.
incantation also failed. o The accused are usually ordered that they can
have no unsupervised time with any child
It was after this last failure, the daughter alleged that underage.
her dad touched her inappropriately. The alleged o No visitation with their own children unless
touching was reported to the police. A grand jury in supervised by a court approved supervisor is
Collin County heard the evidence and indicted Dr. allowed.
Pearson in August 2017. o The defense attorney may request the defendant
to take a polygraph if they feel the results could
The Doctor’s criminal trial commenced three months be helpful in defending the accused. There are
later. The ex-wife’s girlfriend witnessed the efforts the times that some police detectives will consider
ex-wife had pursued and knew the ex-wife master- dropping a case if the defendant passes a
minded the entire plot. This former girlfriend, who polygraph and coupled with additional proof of
later parted ways with the ex-wife became Dr. Pearson’s innocence prior to arrest. There are some
star witness. The ex-wife also involved their older son, Assistant District Attorneys (ADA) who will
who suffered from depression, and began to influence consider the passing of a polygraph in
him with the sexual assault allegations. The older son conjunction with other elements that help to
began to believe the allegations against his dad and prove the defendant’s innocence prior to the
Edith. The son was in a fragile mental state and turned Grand Jury hearing.
to social media to publicize information about his dad o Any professional license or employment that
hoping to confirm what his mother had alleged. Now exposes a child to the defendant’s presence can be
convinced by his mother, the son turned against his suspended, pending the results of the trial or the
father, believing his dad molested his younger sister. dismissal of the case. If the defendant chooses to
appeal the suspension, he must hire a different
Dr. Pearson was arrested on two charges of Indecency attorney who handles employment law and
with a Child. The following are automatic steps in the specializes in defending one’s professional license.
prosecution of such cases: The additional cost for this attorney is
o Department of Family & Protective Services – approximately $15k-$50k+.
(Texas Child Protective Services) will be notified o If the defendant’s attorneys need an investigator
and begin an investigation that will likely to assist with their case, the investigator’s costs
coincide with Law Enforcement. This step is could be in the range of $2k-$10k or possibly
usually done at the onset of the police more.
investigation. o If the defendant is successful defending their right
o Arrest of the accused. to continue working until the verdict of the
o The accused are either assigned a public defender criminal case, they still endure the news coverage
or hire a private defense attorney. The fees may and social media exposure. This media exposure
cost $10k-$30k for representation however these can cause irreparable harm to a business causing
fees are not inclusive of a trial. Many attorneys clients to cancel their relationship with the
charge an additional rate if a trial ensues. Some suspect.
attorneys charge far more. o Criminal trial preparation: multiple court
o An arrest becomes public information and the appearances, meetings with attorneys and
media usually reports it, affecting the livelihood investigators cause the defendant to lose valuable
of professionals like Dr. Pearson. work time as they are away from their practice.
o Social Media continues the spread of the o Grand Jury: All cases that are accepted by the
allegations by anyone who has an opinion on the District Attorney’s office (DA), are usually
matter. presented to the Grand Jury. A Grand Jury
o Bond, if the judge feels that the defendant is not a determines if sufficient probable cause exists to
16 | MARCH 2021 THE TEXAS INVESTIGATOR
