Former pastor in court
He is charged with attempted rape; public defender is appointed
 |
Scott Weisser |
The Salt Lake Tribune
March 22, 2008
The former pastor of the First Baptist Church of Salt Lake City appeared Friday in 3rd District Court on charges he attempted to sexually assault a woman Sunday at his Midvale home.
Scott Weisser, 52, is charged with attempted rape, a first-degree felony, and class B misdemeanor assault in connection with the alleged March 16 attack.
During Friday's court hearing, Weisser - who resigned this week as pastor - was declared indigent and a public defender was appointed to defend him.
A scheduling hearing is set for April 3 before Judge Stephen Roth.
Weisser, meanwhile, remains at the Salt Lake County jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.
According to charging documents, Weisser entered a bedroom in the home and attempted to have sex with the woman, who repeatedly told him no and fought him off.
Weisser dragged her into a door jamb, causing slight abrasions to her hip, court documents said.
The woman is an adult relative of Weisser.
The Salt Lake Tribune generally does not name alleged sexual-assault victims.
- Stephen Hunt