Bail Denied For FL Pastor Accused Of Child Sex Abuse, Police Say He Beat His Victims With Wooden Paddles

Jacksonville’s NBC News affiliate reports:

A judge on Wednesday denied a request for bond for a Jacksonville pastor accused of abusing children for decades. Paul Dyal, 78, pastor of the Jacksonville Assembly of the Body of Christ on Old Kings Road, is charged with two counts of capital sexual battery on a child.

The defense wanted him released on his own recognizance and called Dyal’s son to the stand on Wednesday. He told the judge that his father would stay away from children if released from jail and asked the judge to give his father a bond because of health issues.

The state called a detective as its witness who said Dyal shouldn’t be released because of the years of physical and psychological abuse the survivors faced. She said the survivors were beaten with wooden paddles.

Read the full article. Dyal faces a life sentence. Two other church officials have been charged in the case. My first report on the arrests is here.