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http://www.thehour.com/story/514743/norwalk-pastor-sex-assault-
Norwalk pastor sex assault trial begins
By STEVE KOBAK Hour Staff Writer
Posted on 11/17/2011
NORWALK-- The trial of a Norwalk pastor accused of sexually assaulting a relative at his Queens, N.Y., home began Wednesday at Queens Supreme Court.
Phillip Joubert, 50, is facing eight criminal charges, including first-degree rape. The victim and the victim's mother testified at the first day of the trial, and police officers who worked on the Joubert investigation are expected to take the stand when the trial continues today.
Defense attorney Philip Russell said he expects testimony to end on Monday, but there is some question as to when the jury will be charged due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Joubert, the founding pastor of New Light Missionary Baptist Church in Norwalk, is accused of sexually assaulting a female relative on two occasions at his Queens, N.Y., home in the summer of 2009. A doctor in Queens indicated that the victim had injuries consistent with the statement she made to police about the sexual abuse, according to court documents.
The rape allegations against Joubert came to light after a Nov. 14, 2009, domestic violence incident at Joubert's Norwalk home, police said.
New York City Police arrested Joubert Nov. 24, 2009, on sex assault charges, and Norwalk Police arrested him soon thereafter for the domestic violence incident. He is expected to appear at Norwalk Superior Court on Dec. 20 to
answer to the Norwalk charges.
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