Ark. evangelist's accusers expected in court

[July 15, 2009]  TEXARKANA, Ark. (AP) -- A jailed Arkansas evangelist being tried on charges of sex crimes against young girls is expected to face some of his accusers in court.

Prosecutors plan to call their first witnesses Wednesday during the trial of 74-year-old Tony Alamo. Their case will largely rest on five instances dating back to 1994 in which investigators said he claimed girls were his wives and sexually assaulted them. Investigators said one of the girls was 9.

Alamo has pleaded not guilty to a 10-count federal indictment accusing him of taking underage girls across state lines for sex. His attorneys have said the girls traveled across the country to further his ministry's outreach.

The trial  in Texarkana is expected to last two weeks. Lawyers gave opening arguments Tuesday.

[Associated Press; By JON GAMBRELL]

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