KTRV Fox 12 S. Idaho church restores pastor
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Associated Press - September 13, 2009 7:24 PM ET
JEROME, Idaho (AP) - Members of the First Presbyterian Church have voted to restore as pastor a southern Idaho man who pleaded guilty last year to misdemeanor battery stemming from a violent incident with his former wife.
The congregation on Saturday voted 16-6 to rescind the dissolution of the pastoral relationship with Reverend Ron Matheney that was agreed to a year ago, The Times-News reported.
Prosecutors say Matheney woke up his wife, Darlene Matheney, on Aug. 14, 2007, forced her to have sex, beat her and then prevented her from calling authorities.
He was originally charged with four felonies, including domestic battery, attempted strangulation, rape and sexual penetration with a foreign object.
He pleaded guilty in May 2008 to misdemeanor battery and in Sept. 2008 was sentenced to two years probation.
Information from: The Times-News, http://www.magicvalley.com
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