Pond faces civil suit from victim’s family

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    By JONATHAN BAGLEY

    Lloyd Gerald Pond, sentenced to up to 15 years in prison Monday, now faces a civil suit from the family of the girl he sexually abused.

    “This is not to rub Mr. Pond’s nose in it,” said Charles Hana, defense attorney for the victim. “Justice has two aspects. The fact that Pond was sent to prison doesn’t make the victim whole.”

    Hana said his role as “guardian ad litem” is to make legal decisions for the victim. He said he listens to his clients suggestions, but he decides what will be done in the litigation. Hana said it is law for a “guardian ad litem” to be appointed to a minor to “make the decisions an adult would make in the litigation.”

    Hana said the victim’s family said they are concerned with justice. He said he has had several meetings with the family to determine what course they should take in the litigation.

    “They have asked me to make sure they do not go overboard,” Hana said. “They want to make sure it is appropriate and that no vengeance is involved.”

    He said the victim is undergoing therapy from the emotional damage inflicted upon her from Pond.

    “It is going to be expensive,” Hana said. “We are seeking compensation. The lawsuit doesn’t ask for a specific amount of money because we are uncertain of the costs.”

    The family’s attorney David Isom said he doesn’t know how the family is currently able to pay for the victim’s therapy.

    “[The victim] has gone through terrific pain, anguish, and expense, and they don’t have the money to take care of it,” said Isom.

    Isom said he did a sexual abuse case last summer and was awarded $750,000.

    “The national range is from the $10,000’s to the millions,” he said. “We want the jury to have complete rein to determine how much is awarded.”

    Pond was convicted of sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl. He was the host of the LDS radio program “Times and Seasons” and a former employee of the LDS Church’s public affairs department.

    Hana said he doesn’t know if there will be a trial. He said it depends on how the defendant decides to respond.

    “If they decide to fight tooth and nail all the way down the line there will be a trial, but if they want to settle out of court there won’t,” Hana said.

    Depending on how far the defendant decides to go with the civil suit will determine if the victim will be forced to testify, said Hana.

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