By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The Republican Party Establishment in Washington has challenged Roy Moore to prove that he is not a sexual predator after five women have come forward saying that they had inappropriate contacts with Moore in the late 1970s.
Moore grew up in rural Gallant, Alabama. He went to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Moore served as a Captain of a military police company in the Vietnam War. After his discharge from service, Moore went to the University of Alabama School of Law in Tuscaloosa.
In 1977, he left the University of Alabama Law School in Tuscaloosa to return home to his native Etowah County as a new attorney and then later as the first deputy assistant district attorney in Etowah County history.
On Wednesday, the Moore campaign released the statements of twelve women who are coming forward as character witnesses for ]Moore. Here are their statements:
Jennie Klingenbeck of Birmingham, previously Gadsden, Alabama, said, “I have known Roy Moore for about forty years. Roy and I briefly dated when I was in my twenties. While I was around Roy, either just the two of us or with other people, he was always a true gentleman treating me with respect and courtesy. I can honestly say that I never have seen or heard any inappropriate remarks or behaviors while he was around me. I believe that Roy lives by his Christian beliefs and is a good man.”
“My name is Jaime Moses and I was born and raised in Gadsden, Alabama. I worked at Uncle Sam’s BBQ (closed now) for 10 years while in my 20’s and waited on Roy Moore and his family. Mr. Moore and his wife were nothing but friendly and respectful. The children were the same, which is a sign of great parenting. He knew many people dining there and spoke and shook hands with everyone. Not once did he make me feel uncomfortable. Working in the food industry can be hard sometimes and Mr. Moore’s kindness to myself and staff did not go unnoticed,” Jaime Moses is a native of Gadsden.
“My first remembrance of Roy Moore was grammar school. He was probably in Jr High school but all of us Gallant kids rode the same bus,” Sharon Lamkin said. “He was always a gentle, kind boy and grew into an even more admirable man. He was my softball coach in my high school days and was always such a kind person, never a mean or hateful word to any of us. Only kindness and utmost respect! Have been friends with all of his family for many, many years. NEVER heard ANY mention of any such behavior in all these years. Have seen him at the local church several times with his knees bowed in prayer at the altar. Takes time to listen to people. Just a wonderful, Christian man in a small rural community. Devoted to family, friends and most of all God. Proud to know him and will continue to support him with our presence and prayers.”
“I have known Roy for over 30 years. I met him in 1984 when he met my sister in church and began dating her,” said Kandi Kisor Smith. “He has always showed honor and dignity. I truly can’t even begin to grasp that people would question his character. He has lived by what he preached since the day I met him.” Kandi Kisor Smith is the sister of Judge Moore’s wife, Kayla.
”I was the receptionist for Roy Moore the first time he was Chief Justice and I am proud of our history,” said Marianne Rhodes. “I saw everything that went on in that office and I’ve never worked for anybody who was more considerate, honest, or kind. We all enjoyed our tenure there. He was always up and above board. If any of these people who are slandering the good name of Roy Moore had ever worked with Judge they would know what a fine person he is. My history with Judge Moore was nothing but pleasurable and this is all upsetting to me.” Marianne Rhodes was the receptionist for Roy Moore during his tenure as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court from 2000 to 2003.
”I feel it my duty to say that I have known Roy Moore since I was a kid. I worked closely with Roy (adjoining offices) when I was 16 years old,” Elaine Conner Watson said. “I went to school half a day and worked at the bank half a day. NEVER did he in any way make me feel uncomfortable, flirt, or make advances towards me. He was always a kind and respectable man. We are still friends to this day and I would put my life in his hands if need be. There is not way that these statements these people are making are true. Someone is getting some hefty perks coming from the lies that are being told. I appreciate and respect everything that Roy has done for our state and citizens.” Elaine Conner Watson is a native of Gadsden, Alabama.
“I have known Roy Moore and his family for over thirty years. I spent a great deal of time as a child with his nieces, who lived in close proximity to Mr. Moore’s residence,” said Amanda Pearce. “There was never a time I felt uncomfortable or witnessed any inappropriate behavior by him . We have attended the same church for over twenty years and I have always had the utmost respect for the life he leads and the principles he stands for.” Amanda Pearce lives in Gadsden, Alabama.
“My name is Doris Mason. I have known Roy Moore for over 50 years. I first met him when I started dating his first cousin, Dennis Mason. Dennis and I married in 1965, eventually had 4 children (3 of whom are girls) and we frequently visited his childhood home prior to our marriage. Roy has been nothing short of a true gentleman toward me, my daughters, and anyone else I have witnessed his interaction with. He spent many evenings in our home around our dinner table. Roy has spent time with all of our children at length and he has always displayed integrity, honesty and impeccable character. It is my belief that the accusations against Roy are completely false! Do I believe that Roy is perfect? Certainly not. No human is. What I do know is that he is a man that I trust and offer my utmost respect to because he has never been anything but respectful towards me and my family!” Doris Mason lives in Attalla, Alabama.
Brenda Parrish said, “I have known Roy Moore for 25 years. Roy has always been a kind, caring and generous Man of God. I have never heard anything bad said about Roy. He is a wonderful spiritual leader to his family and has exceptional character.” Brenda Parrish lives in Gallant, Alabama.
“My name is Angie Johnson. We have known Roy Moore and his family for more than 25 years. His son was coached on a ball team by my husband ..a team player alongside my son. Roy also helped with coaching the team. My husband and I have been guests in his home, in his office in Gadsden as well as Montgomery. I am acquaintances with several members of Roy’s family. I have never known Roy to exhibit anything other than appropriate behavior during our times together. Further I was raised and lived in Gadsden all of my 50+ years and I have never been aware of any of the incidents that have been spoken of about Roy. I worked in a fast food establishment that Roy frequented during the time period in question. Again …no behavior exhibited other than respect and mannerful…during that time Roy had written and recorded a 45 record which he brought over and gifted to my mother. I do not understand waiting years and years to make accusations unless there are political or monetary gains to be made. It is a sad day when someone can take a person’s character and attempt to discredit them by making accusations that cannot be proven. How quick everyone is to take the position of judge, juror, and executioner. What if the shoe was on the other foot? I would never condone sexual harassment against anyone if proven.” Angie Johnson is a native of Gadsden, Alabama.
“My name is Linda Whitt. I had the pleasure of meeting Roy Moore around 15 years ago. He is related to my husband’s brother-in-law. I have never known Roy to be anything other than a gentleman. With that being said, it saddens me that there are those who seek to tarnish the reputation of a good man.” Linda Whitt lives in Duck Springs, Alabama.
“I have known Roy Moore all my life,” said Jennifer Price from Gallant, Alabama. “He is one of the most godly men I’ve even known. I would trust him with my life and I could call on him for anything and I know he’d be there. He’s a wonderful husband, father and granddaddy and loves his family dearly.”
On Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017 the Moore campaign was presenting information to the Alabama Republican Party Steering Committee as well as the press to try to refute the charges and establish that the former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice is indeed a man of good character and not a serial abuser of underage women as his detractors now claim.
Moore said in a statement. “I am suffering the same treatment other Republicans have had to endure. A month prior to the general election for U.S. Senate in Alabama, I have been attacked by the Washington Post and other liberal media in a desperate attempt to smear my character and defeat my campaign.”
On Wednesday, two more women came forward with allegations about inappropriate conduct from Moore bringing the total now to seven. These two, then employed in the Gadsden Mall, said that Moore in his early 30s often came to their store and one of them said that she went on a date either before or after her eighteenth birthday. Moore kissed her too hard. After that she did not want to have anything to do with him. The Washington Post said that these two women came forward after reading their Thursday reporting.
Moore easily defeated U.S. Sen. Luther Strange in the Republican primary runoff election on September 26. Moore was cruising to an easy victory over former U.S. Attorney Doug Jones in the December 12 primary; until the Washington Post unveiled their claims about Moore’s alleged dating indiscretions that allegedly occurred in Etowah County in the period after Moore returned home. Moore left Etowah County in 1982 after losing a race to become the District Attorney. Moore pursued careers as a kickboxer and professional cowboy. After Moore returned home he married his wife Kayla. They have four children and five grandchildren. All the allegations thus far are confined to that period between his time at the University of Alabama and his leaving the county after losing a race for District Attorney.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., have called on Moore to stand aside and let the Republican Party run a write in candidate for the U.S. Senate seat formerly held by Jeff Sessions.
