Wichita Falls pastor Ronnie Killingsworth officially convicted of indecency with children

All the seats were full in 78^th District Court on Friday said a Wichita Falls pastor was formally sentenced to a lengthy prison term for six counts of indecency with a child.

Ronnie Allen Killingsworth, 79, wore prison uniforms as Judge Meredith Kennedy formalized a 42-year prison sentence. He could be eligible for parole at age 100.

Killingsworth is the founder and sole pastor of Rephidim Church, the site where three girls alleged they were sexually assaulted between 2000 and 2011 in the church office.

He was found guilty on May 7 following a week-long trial with emotional testimony from the victims, now adults, as well as Killingsworth's family and supporters.

Prosecutors said the sexual abuse would stay with victims for the rest of their lives, while defense attorneys argued the state came “no closer” to proving its case.

The jury sided with the prosecution, taking only an hour to find Killingsworth guilty and about the same time to recommend a stiff sentence – even though defense attorney Chuck Smith had asked for a shorter delay due to Killingsworth's age and history of health problems.

The turnout for the trial was so great that it was moved to the larger 30th District courtroom. The gallery in the 78th District's smallest courtroom was also packed Friday.

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This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Killingsworth Officially Sentenced for Indecency