Lengthy civil trial involving LDS Church ends in settlement

MARTINSBURG,, W.Va. — A settlement was announced Friday in a trial involving the Mormon Church that has lasted for more than two months in Berkeley County.

The terms of the settlement, which were not disclosed, includes a gag order for the parties involved.

Six families filed the civil lawsuit in 2013 alleging the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had covered up allegations of sexual abuse against several children by Christopher Michael Jensen, the son of local church leaders. Jensen had been convicted in 2013 of sexually abusing a 4 and 3-year-old. He was sentenced to 35-75 years in prison.

The civil lawsuit alleged church leaders covered up Jensen’s actions which enabled him to be a babysitter and live with other church families with young children.

The trial began Jan. 18.





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