Aug. 9, 2012 – West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. – WEST PALM BEACH – Paramedics transport the Rev. Richard Harris after he tried to swallow some pills after he was ordered into custody following his conviction. Harris was found guilty of lewd and lascivious battery and other charges connected to allegations that he molested a 15-year-old under the guise of making him a football star, and videotaped him and others engaged in sexual acts. (Credit Image: © Lannis Waters/The Palm Beach Post/ZUMAPRESS.com)
Pills and personal belongings sit on the defense table as deputies struggle to subdue the Rev. James Richard Harris after he tried to swallow some pills when he was ordered into custody following his conviction in Palm Beach County court. Harris was found guilty of lewd and lascivious battery and other charges connected to allegations that he molested a 15-year-old under the guise of making him a football star, and videotaped him and others engaged in sexual acts. (Photo: © Lannis Waters/The Palm Beach Post/ZUMAPress.com)
A former pastor allegedly tried to commit sucicde in a Florida courtroom after a judge told him he would be going to jail for sex crimes against juveniles.
Rev. James Richard Harris was found guilty of performing two sex acts on a 15-year-old boy.
Prosecutors say he abused his connection to the Glades Central High School program to lure his victim with promises of introductions to football scouts and trainers.
Harris also videotaped the teen engaging in other lewd acts as a pornographic movie played in the background according to the Palm Beach Post.
The former pastor was also found guilty of videotaping an unsuspecting 14-year-old girl and her 16-year-old boyfriend, described as his godson, having sex in his home.
The verdict was read in court on Thursday and when the judge told Harris he would remain in jail until sentencing in October, he grabbed a handful of white pills and tried to swallow them.
Court deputies rushed toward him and yelled “Spit it out! Spit it out!,” according to the Palm Beach Post.
“I think its a cowardly thing to do, and it shows that he knows what he did and that he’s facing a long time in prsion,” Prosecuotr Mixon told the Post.
The former pastor faces up to 80 years in prison on convictions of lewd and lascivious battery, lewd and lasvicious conduct, sexual activity with a minor, showing obsence material to a minor, and two counts of promoting sexual performance by a minor.
