Arlington ex-pastor and sex offender at low risk of repeat offense, psychologist says
The state is engaged in a civil trial that could keep Terry Hornbuckle in a locked state treatment facility for the rest of his life.
But a psychologist who took the stand Monday testified that sending the former Arlington pastor back to prison would be a mistake because his risk of committing another violent sexual offense is low.
The psychologist, Marissa Morrow, testified that Hornbuckle is unlikely to commit more sexually violent crimes in the future, according to her psychiatric evaluation.
Hornbuckle, who was in his early 40s when he sexually assaulted three women in 2004, was spiritual adviser to the Dallas Cowboys and the bishop of Agape Christian Fellowship, a prominent Arlington church that once boasted more than 2,500 members.
Now, at 58, Hornbuckle is days away from his projected release date from prison, at the end of August. If he is not assigned to the state’s program for treating violent sexual offenders before he has completed his 15-year sentence on his three sexual assault convictions, state law says he must be released.
“I don’t think he (Hornbuckle) has a diagnosis or condition related to committing a sexually violent offense,” Morrow testified. “He is low-risk. He is also unlikely to have the type of access that he used to have.”
Previous attempts to have Hornbuckle assigned to the state’s civil commitment program have resulted in a mistrial due to a hung jury, while two other attempts have ended without successfully seating a jury. Hornbuckle has been denied parole during his 15-year prison stay, according to court records.
Two of Hornbuckle’s victims were former members of the Agape Christian Fellowship, where Hornbuckle was once a pastor, and two women said the megachurch minister drugged them, according to court records.
The women who accused Hornbuckle of sexually assaulting them were church members, or knew each other, or were associated with the church, or were related, Morrow said. Some women who made allegations of sexual assault against Hornbuckle made statements to a civil attorney and were seeking money damages prior to reporting their allegations to police, Morrow said.
One woman sought a $10 million payout against Hornbuckle, Morrow said. Many of the women who alleged that Hornbuckle sexually assaulted them continued to have sexual relations with him after the alleged assault was said to have occurred, she said.
But an attorney with the state, Marc Gault, countered that three cases against Hornbuckle did result in convictions. Gault presented evidence that other allegations made against Hornbuckle that were dismissed were not dismissed because of a lack of evidence, but because of earlier convictions.
Hornbuckle was removed as Agape’s pastor and divorced from his wife, Renee, after his legal troubles began.
The short time that passed during the time in which he offended and Hornbuckle’s age also support the conclusion that he is at a low risk to re-offend, Morrow said.
“These offenses took place in the time span of 18 months and he is approaching 60,” she said.
The riskiest part of Hornbuckle’s profile is his past drug use, according to Morrow’s testimony.
“Hornbuckle was probably using substances at the time that he was offending, but he is at a risk to re-offend only if he starts to use again,” Morrow said.
The civil commitment trial resumed with the defense presenting its case on Tuesday and will continue into Wednesday.
This story was originally published August 18, 2020 at 6:00 AM.
