TV Evangelist Charged With Abuse, Neglect of Elderly Mother and Disabled Husband

A Sullivan County TV preacher has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging abuse and neglect of her 92-year-old mother and 59-year-old disabled husband, who both required immediate medical care when they were removed from her home in February.

Brenda Viars, 59, pleaded not guilty to two counts each of physical abuse or gross negligence of an impaired adult, a Class C felony, and willful abuse, neglect or exploitation of an adult, a Class E felony during a formal reading of the charges in Sullivan County Criminal Court.

Attorneys Justin Pennington and Rick Spivey appeared with Viars . Following Viars' arraignment, Pennington asked the judge to "bar the (media) cameras" from the courtroom, citing a concern about pre-trial publicity and the possibility that it might "taint" the jury pool.

Sullivan County Criminal Court Judge Robert Montgomery denied Pennington's request, but told him he could present the motion again, in writing, and have a hearing on the issue on July 27. Citing the motion as evidence of their desire to proceed to trial, Montgomery also set a tentative Dec. 12 trial date.

Viars' charges allege she abused or neglected her mother between May 10, 2010, and Feb. 16, 2011, and her husband between Oct. 10, 2010, and Feb. 16, 2011.

Feb. 16 is when investigators with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and Tennessee Department of Human Services allegedly found Viars ’ mother and husband living in squalor in an apartment adjacent to a church Viars was pastoring — the All for Jesus Church of God .

At that time, the Sullivan County Planning Department closed the church building and posted a notice declaring it unfit for human occupation due to infestation, garbage accumulation and obstructed walkways. Officials report the building was cleaned up by mid-March.

Viars’ mother and husband were both taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center for treatment.

A Tennessee Department of Human Services spokesman said he was told Viars' mother was initially placed in an assisted-living facility upon her release from the hospital, and that Viars' husband had to have part of one leg amputated.

The TDHS spokesman said that the Adult Protective Services division reports Viars' mother and husband eventually moved back in with Viars at the Blountville residence. He said the Adult Protective Services division reported conducting home checks in March, April and May and finding no concerns.

A Sullivan County grand jury returned sealed indictments against Viars on June 28. She was arrested June 30 and released on a $50,000 bond the same day.

Full Article and Source:
Sullivan County TV Evangelist Pleads Not Guilty to Abuse, Neglect of Elderly Mother, Disabled Husband