Therapist testifies in Farr case

Testimony continued in the David Farr trial Tuesday as prosecutors called one of the alleged victim's therapist to the stand.

Dr. Jennifer Simon-Thomas of Kalispell testified that her patient, one of the boys Farr is accused of molesting, told her about it during their sessions.

As the actual victims in the case are legally unavailable because of their ages, Simon-Thomas' testimony was important because it corroborated what that victim said to his mother.

Simon-Thomas also testified to the behavior she noticed in the alleged victim, which she and the prosecution maintain is consistent to that of a child who has been sexually assaulted.

During cross-examination, defense attorneys questioned the accuracy of Simon-Thomas' records and pointed out that the behaviors observed in her patient - which included aggressiveness, anxiety and lack of control issues - are also found in children who aren't the victims of sexual abuse.

Simon-Thomas was not commissioned by the court to conduct a forensic evaluation, but was the family's private therapist.

Presiding Judge Stewart Stadler ordered the full opening of Simon-Thomas' notes on the alleged victim after a motion by the defense. He ruled that evidence of altered behaviors is important to the case, and the defense should have access to it as well. Prior to that ruling, the defense had access to only those passages dealing specifically with Farr or the school. Prosecutors made no objection, saying that they aren't trying to hide anything from defense attorneys.

The opening of Simon-Thomas' notes came with an order of protection that prohibits their contents from being disseminated or discussed outside the courtroom.

Farr, 37, is charged with five counts of felony sexual assault. If convicted of all five counts, he could be sentenced to life or up to 500 years in prison. A former administrator of Children's House Montessori School, Farr is accused of molesting five boys between the ages of 2 and 4. He was the school's administrator from June 2004 to October 2005.

The trial, in which Farr is expected to testify, is scheduled to continue all week.

Reporter Nicholas Ledden can be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at nledden@dailyinterlake.com