No church service for Bodenweiser

A recent request to relax Eric Bodenweiser’s conditions for home confinement pending trial was denied by Superior Court Judge E. Scott Bradley.

Bodenweiser was initially the Republican candidate for Georgetown’s Senate seat in the Nov. 6 election.  He withdrew from the race days before a grand jury indicted him on 113 felony sex charges against a child.

The victim, now a 35-year-old Florida resident, says when he was between the ages of 10 and 13 Bodenweiser raped him a total of 39 times.

Bodenweiser pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bail Oct. 23.  As a condition of his release, Bradley ordered Bodenweiser to home confinement and GPS monitoring; he was also assigned a probation officer.

In a Nov. 2 progress report, Probation Officer Erik Forry said Bodenweiser has so far been receptive to supervision and compliant with the judge’s conditions.  Forry said he spoke with Sussex County Bible Church's the Rev. Duane Smith, who said the church was willing to allow Bodenweiser to attend services while his case progressed.

Bodenweiser had been an active member of the Harbeson church before his arrest.

“As a condition of bail, the court has ordered no contact with minors,” Forry wrote.  “Clearly, attending church services would place the defendant in proximity with minors.”

Smith provided a written safety plan, which said Bodenweiser would have no contact with anyone under 18 while he was attending services at the church.  Smith also said a chaperone would meet Bodenweiser at his car before the service and walk him back to his car after the service.

“We are committed to be a place where all people can find grace, forgiveness of sin and fellowship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.  We are also committed to be a place of safety and protection,” Smith wrote.

In Forry’s report, the Department of Correction officially requested Bodenweiser be allowed to attend church.

Bradley X’ed out the recommendation and handwrote “DENIED” on the progress report with no further explanation.

A case review for Bodenweiser is scheduled Monday, Nov. 19.