Greg Ray: No one has yet to come forward – Investigation in neutral

Sheffield Police Chief Greg Ray – “Case is on hold.”

SHEFFIELD – After receiving a solid promise that “A victim will come forward.” Police Chief Greg Ray told reporters Thursday afternoon that his investigators have not spoken with anyone who has agreed to testify in court. Ray was referring to allegations of 40 to 50 years of sexual abuse within the church by Oliver Brazelle. Brazelle, 78, is the former Children’s and Youth Minister, and the Minister of Music at the First United Methodist Church.

The Police Department last week received a three page report from an unnamed group of parishioners, who secretly compiled what they claimed was evidence of child sexual abuse on the part of Brazelle. “10 days later, we have not a victim come forward as a complaining witness,” Ray continued, “The primary reason we have not made an arrest is, we do not have a victim. A victim has not come forward. We were promised a victim would come forward. We are not going out to seek victims. We are not going to force (anyone) to be a victim. This is a very sensitive issue.”

Ray appeared somewhat frustrated with the progress of the investigation. Since last Wednesday, he has committed the entire investigative team on this case. And now with the caseload of other crimes in Sheffield stacking up, Ray has re-tasked his detectives onto other matters.

Ray indicated that at least 7 other men have telephoned him to allege that they, various ones, were molested through the ’60’s, 70’s, 80’s and ’90’s. There is no allegation of rape in the 2000’s.  “They told me that we are on the right track; to keep going forward,” Ray said, “They want some sort of closure, it’s one of the biggest things they’re looking for. But no one has actually come forward and said, ‘Yes, I want justice’.”

Wednesday, August 1st, Ray’s entire Detective Division went to an attorney’s office at the request of the lawyers. After a nearly two-hour conference, they were given assurances that, by the end of that business day, a victim would come forward. “It’s Thursday, a week later, and we still have not had any victims come forward,” Ray told the reporters. “They promised us they (alleged victims) would come forward. They have not. We’re not upset about that… but other people have been neglected during that time. Other victims of crime.”

So today, the announcement came that the nature of the investigation is changing. Ray said, “I would say, for lack of a better term, we’re in a holding pattern right now. We still do not have a victim who will agree to testify.”

Again, seeming to show his frustration with the investigation, Ray said, “We have had numerous people come to us and tell us what has happened to them. These are people, once again, unsolicited, who have contacted us, and asked to speak with us. We had one person tell us that he knew a lot of people wouldn’t believe what happened, and he wanted to let us know that we were on the right track, as far as the Police Department. Because he had been a victim in 1967.”

As serious as these allegations against Brazelle are, they are only allegations. Ray emphasized to the reporters that until somebody comes forward and says, “This happened to me on this date and this time. I want to swear out a warrant.” The persons who contacted the Police Department have been offered counseling. In fact, the Chief acknowledged that some of his force has sought out counseling because of the disturbing nature of this investigation.

Essentially, until someone comes forward who is willing to testify, Ray’s hands are tied.