Trial starts in abduction case

LEBANON, Mo. -- A white supremacist pastor who abducted and indoctrinated his six grandchildren with his anti-Semitic views also taught them to hate their fathers, an attorney for the fathers said Monday.

Gordon Winrod, 74, caused deep psychological damage to his grandchildren as he taught them his message of "hate and terror," attorney David Pointer said during opening statements of a civil trial seeking damages from Winrod, his church and two of his children.

The lawsuit was filed by the children's fathers, Tim Leppert and Joel Leppert, and two of the children -- Nathan Leppert and Erika Leppert -- who were among those taken from their North Dakota homes and kept at Winrod's southwest Missouri farm. The farm is the site of Our Savior's Church, where Winrod preached hatred of Jews and government before he went to prison.

The civil suit claims false imprisonment, intentional infliction of distress, assault and battery on the children. It also claims Tim Leppert and Joel Leppert were defamed by the elder Winrod through his publication, "The Winrod Letter." Tim Leppert and Joel Leppert were formerly married to two of Winrod's daughters and lived near Dickey, N.D., when the children began disappearing between 1994 and 1996.

One of the central themes of Winrod's teachings "is that the kids were to hate their fathers," Pointer said. "They did come to say that they hated their fathers."

Decision on damages

Ten men and three women were chosen as the jury, with one alternate, who will determine if the Lepperts are entitled to any damages.

A judge earlier granted a default judgment in the case because the Winrods refused to cooperate in the legal process -- leaving jurors to decide only how much, if any, money should be paid.

Pointer said he has not decided how much money he would seek for the Lepperts.

He has said the plaintiffs incurred about $250,000 in medical expenses because of the abductions. Two of the children required treatment at a psychiatric hospital for more than a year, he said.

The other four children who were abducted were minors at the time and are not named as plaintiffs.

Gordon Winrod was brought to Lebanon for the trial from the Jefferson City Correctional Center, where he is serving a 30-year sentence in the abductions.

Winrod, along with children Stephen Winrod and Carol Winrod, were acting as their own attorneys. Carol Winrod was not present Monday.

Stephen Winrod stood by the defendants' beliefs and said the jury should not award the Lepperts any money.

He said the children's mothers should have been awarded custody after the divorces.

Gordon Winrod detailed his upbringing in the Lutheran Church, where he rose to be a pastor of three congregations. He said along the way, he came to "learn something about the Jews," who he said controlled the government because they have money and power.

Spiritual battle

The elder Winrod said the civil hearing was a "spiritual battle."

"In the end, I will win because I'll stand by the truth and righteousness," he said, "and truth and righteousness always win."

A witness testified Donna Leppert, one of the children who has had a year of psychiatric help, has delusional beliefs and is not in touch with reality.

"She's been brainwashed by a delusional grandfather who appears to be a self-professed religious zealot," said psychologist Brian Chandler.

He said Donna has not been able to regain a relationship with her father, Tim, and needs to be deprogrammed.

Security was tightened at the Laclede County government center because Winrod has continued to espouse his beliefs through his publication. The newsletter is apparently published by relatives.

The three Winrods were arrested and charged after authorities raided Winrod's 400-acre farm in rural Gainesville in May 2000.