A former Lubbock youth advisor, James Nathan Grassie, 49, was found guilty by a jury on Thursday of three counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child.
The jury was seated on Monday evening. On Tuesday, Grassie approached a photojournalist with EverythingLubbock.com at the courthouse and said, “When all this is over, I want to come visit with you.”
During opening statements of the trial, prosecutor Courtney Boyd said Grassie was a co-founder of a faith-based youth program in Lubbock, referred to as “Trail Life” in court. Grassie goes by many names, Boyd said, but three boys in the community call him their abuser. The defense declined to give an opening statement on the first day.
One victim testified the sexual abuse started during a camping trip and happened very frequently. The victim testified that Grassie told him not to tell anyone. Two more victims testified that Grassie showed them pornography and inappropriately touched them. One of the victims said this happened when he was just 8 or 9 years old. One victim said Grassie texted him after, but he didn’t respond because he was scared of Grassie.
EverythingLubbock.com withheld many details about the abuse because they are graphic.
Defense attorney Audie Reece asked the jury not to rush judgment because of emotion. He said if the jury has more questions than answers, Reece asked them to find Grassie not guilty. During closing statements, Reece painted the situation as a “web of deceit.” Reece pointed out that one of the victims had changed his story. He also questioned where Grassie’s devices were that allegedly had child sexual abuse material on them. Reece also said, in part, “these kids are lying.”
Prosecutor Cassie Graham during closing arguments mentioned that the victims had everything to lose by coming forward. She described the victims as brave and courageous for bringing what had been kept in darkness into light.
The jury began deliberations at 11:20 a.m. They returned with a guilty verdict a little before 1:00 p.m. Grassie faces up to life in prison.
