Trial for caretaker accused of abuse postponed

Thursday, Sept. 2, 1999 | 3:58 a.m.

The trial for a caretaker accused of molesting boys at St. Jude's Ranch in Boulder City has been postponed to give his attorney time to prepare a defense to allegations that he committed similar acts with boys in Texas.

Larry Wisenbaker's trial was scheduled to start on Tuesday. District Judge Kathy Hardcastle on Wednesday delayed it until Nov. 29.

She ruled last month that she intends to allow testimony from eight San Angelo, Texas, boys who say Wisenbaker molested them between January 1997 and January 1998.

Wisenbaker worked during that time at three children's homes and ranches where the eight had lived.

Deputy Public Defender Joseph Abood indicated he has interviewed some of the boys but needs more time to prepare before trial.

Of the 16 St. Jude's Ranch victims, 12 were residents and four were Boulder City boys who were visiting.

Wisenbaker contends the boys have banded together and fabricated the allegations to get him fired because he was too strict with them.

But Deputy District Attorney Gerald Gardner alleged in court documents that Wisenbaker is "a serial child molester who has been preying upon vulnerable boys in a strikingly similar manner for years."