Amy Smith, Watchkeep, Gets Disturbing Emails From Greg Kelly. Is This What He Means By “My Story, HIs Glory?”

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Crying_boy.jpg
Crying Boy:Wikimedia

“I receive more threats than I could count; it’s almost every week.”  Jim Acosta


Amy Smith is an important members of a group of bloggers who deal with sexual abuse. Those of us in that community are often not at liberty to share with our readers some of the more difficult aspects of our work. Sometimes, it involves legal issues. Other times, it involves threats. Sadly, for some of us, these threats come from people who mistakenly believe that their disgusting missives could qualify as *standing up for Jesus.*

Amy received three emails the past Saturday. She has since been in communication with the Texas Rangers who have been more than helpful.

On Watchkeep, Amy posted Greg Kelley emails to me: If you chose to ignore me. You will highly regret it. I’m not playing around anymore. You are absolutely disgusting…

I will be quoting heavily from her post.

Who is Greg Kelly and why did he take a plea deal involving a charge of molesting a 4 year old boy?

Amy Smith and TWW reported pop and followed accusations, arrest and trial of Greg Kelly. In her post, Amy reported this back ground.

In 2014, Kelley was found guilty of the aggravated sexual assault of a 4-year-old boy at a Leander in-home daycare. On Wednesday, that conviction was overturned by the state’s highest criminal court. Kelley is now a free man, that doesn’t mean the 24-year-old is ready to move on. “We want to make sure we get down to the bottom of this,” said Kelley.

But Kelley’s attorney, Keith Hampton, says charging another suspect in the case could be problematic. “You might think it’s an easy case to prosecute, but it’s not straightforward,” said Hampton.

The Court of Criminal Appeals court cited new evidence and a “deficient police investigation,” as reasons Kelley’s conviction was overturned. Some of that evidence were images of Kelley and Johnathan McCarty when they were in high school. At the time, they looked very similar. McCarty’s mother ran the daycare where the 4-year-old was allegedly molested.
Hampton thinks there’s enough evidence to make Jonathan McCarty a prime suspect but says that doesn’t mean he’ll ever be charged. “This particular child said Greg. And he’s never said anything but Greg and he said it under oath. It’s testimony, so how does a prosecutor overcome that,” said Hampton.

Since this first occurred in 2013/2014, and some of you had yet to discover TWW, this should help. KVUE posted TIMELINE: Greg Kelley case.

  • Aug. 12, 2013: Kelley is arrested.
  • Aug. 29, 2013: Second accuser comes forward
  • July 9, 2014: Victims testify, one recants
  • July 16, 2014: Kelly found guilty, sentenced to 25 years. Greg Kelley will serve two 25-year sentences concurrently with no possibility of parole and no right to appeal. He will also be required to register as a sex offender, Kelley’s attorneys negotiated in a plea deal on Wednesday. In other words, he agreed to this sentencing. Do not forget this.
  • Sept. 23, 2014: Judge denies new trial
  • Feb. 11, 2016: Appeals court affirms conviction
  • May 25, 2017: Authorities reopen Kelley case and identify new suspect
  • June 8, 2017: Affidavits reveal new details in Kelley case
  • Aug. 3, 2017: Texas Ranger says there is a third suspect, Kelley cannot be ruled out on Day 2
  • Nov. 6, 2019: Kelley can move forward with this life after his conviction is overturned

Why was this story being followed by TWW since I tend to focus on churches?

In fact, a church was heavily involved in getting Kelly exonerated. Dee had the unfortunate experience of talking with the pastor on the phone. He was quite angry that I believed the 4 year old child who said Greg Kelly put pee pee n his mouth.  In fact, he returned a call when I was in a meeting in DC at a Hampton Inn along with a group of victims and friends from another story. He became so loud on the phone that I held the phone away from my ear, to the amusement of those present.

This church held rallies for Greg Kelley. Some folks expressed disdain for the report of the little boy. I wrote a post regarding Generations Church and their pastor: Generations Church and Greg Kelley’s Christian Supporters: Another Christian’s View. As you will see, Amy bore the brunt of the attacks.

Here is a conversation that Amy had with the pastor, Bob Brydon, which she recounted in today’s post.

I received a phone call yesterday afternoon from Pastor Bob Brydon of Generations Church who is helping lead the effort to “fight for GK,” the man convicted of super aggravated sexual assault of a 4 year-old boy, in prison for 25 years after accepting a sentencing deal waiving his right to appeal. Bob immediately let me know how offended he was at our statement, saying he considered it “slander.” I asked what was slanderous about it, but he did not answer. He just began a rant about how the “real perp” is still out there on the streets.

The members of this local church, along with the pastor, stood firmly behind Greg Kelly whom they claimed was a devout Christian along with being a so-so (in my opinion) high school football player which in Texas is one step away from being proclaimed a deity.

These Christians formed a group called Fight for GK. They considered Greg Kelly’s conviction a fight against evil. So who is evil? The little boy who reported what Greg Kelley did to him? Frankly, I was shocked by this rhetoric coming from those who claim to bear the name of Jesus.

Again, from, Amy’s post.

Amy and I wrote a Joint Open Letter to the Super Hero Victim of Greg Kelley whom I still believe.

Both Amy and I were concerned by the ugly crowd in this town which seemed to be focused on overlooking a little boy who stuck to his initial report that “Greg put pee pee in his mouth.” It is extraordinarily rare for a child to lie about such an occurrence. In fact, some statistics say that 98% of such reports by children are truthful. Read this alarming report.

Amy and I believed this little boy and wanted to encourage him, so we wrote this letter that we know was shared with his family.

Here is a message to those who believe it is slander/ libel/defamation to believe what someone says. Thank God that in the United States, unlike Europe and many other countries, we have the right to express what we believe to be true. So, in the case of OJ Simpson and Casey Anthony, I believe that they *did it* even though they weren’t convicted. I suspect that almost everyone reading this also believes that to be true.

Therefore, suspecting that I will become a target of the attacks of the good Christian people of certain churches in Austin, I want to state that I still believe that this little boy was telling the truth. Let the wretched emails from the church community begin! (PS-For those in Austin who don’t know me, I am a devoted Christian.)

Greg Kelley is now looking for *justice* and accountability.

 

Please note the T-shirt he is wearing. he is in indebted to those church folks who supported him.


Image from the above video.

So what does this man do to prove that his own story is God’s glory?  He sends these emails to Amy.

If those emails are his, and I can assure you that Amy leaves no stone unturned, then he is a threatening, and possibly dangerous, bully.

Here are his emails which Amy posted on her website. You may view the actual emails there. I am posting her exact rewrites for easier viewing here.

Email #1

Hello Amy, you might remember me… Greg Kelley. The same guy you said all of those nasty things about when I was being falsely accused and wrongfully convicted?

Well… I’m sure you’ve already heard but I’m exonerated now, all 9 judges of the CCA have declared me innocent.

I just wanted to send you this message because while you were tag teaming with the chief of police of CPPD to slander my name, my family and everyone who loves and fought for me, I was on the sideline taking note of all of it.

Fighting for my innocence is over, now it’s ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO DID THIS TO ME.

The chief and cedar park is in HOT WATER right now. Don’t believe me? Google it.

I wanted to send you a friendly reminder that I have not forgotten how you were part of the problem and I really don’t like bullies.

*that little stunt you pulled about me living at jakes… that’s all documented.

Good luck Amy.

Email 2:

Let me know if you are interested in resolving this outside of court, my terms are pretty simple.

Let me remind you the false allegation you filed against me at Jakes house IS A CRIME and quite frankly I’m looking for one good reason not to file a law suit on you. That’s right, with the help of the Texas rangers and private investigators you are exposed on so many levels.  Hope you have a good lawyer because I have several. Do the right thing Amy.

Email 3:

If you chose to ignore me. You will highly regret it. I’m not playing around anymore. You are absolutely disgusting and quite frankly I believe a  judge will see it the same way.

(Editor: Amy says she has never filed anything about a Jake mentioned in email number 2 so she doesn’t understand what he’s saying.)

Who is the real Greg Kelly?

As I have said before, Amy has been in contact with the Texas Rangers. Why do I get a feeling that Mr “My Story, God’s Glory” may have been telling a gospel *Whopper* in order to intimidate Amy? I am terribly concerned about Amy’s safety and would ask that law enforcement look into this intimidating behavior.

Greg Kelley has some image repairing to accomplish. According to The Statesman (2018) GREG KELLEY CASE: Texas Ranger affidavit contradicts Kelley statements:

Even after Kelley was charged with sexually abusing the child and was awaiting trial, he engaged in high-risk sexual behavior by meeting with other people through a website that connects those looking for sexual activity, the document states. And the affidavit goes further, stating that Kelley viewed pornography with more frequency, for longer time periods, and with increasingly deviant content around the time of the alleged abuse — a pattern described as similar to that of a sex offender who is “about to offend.”

Given Kelley’s actions, I continue to believe the testimony of the little boy. You see, his testimony hasn’t changed through all of these years even though other names have been put forward as potential perpetrators. The DA claims he has no plans to attempt to try anyone else. The only witness, a little boy, will not change his testimony.

I want his family to know that I continue to stand with this little superhero. I believe him. In the meantime, Greg Kelley has given me reason to mistrust him. I always stand with my fellow advocates who continue to stand firm for the abused in spite of threats and worrisome behavior on the part of those in the Christian community who believe that violating God’s commandment to love is just fine so long as it involves a football player or someone who goes to church.

I’ve already lectured Amy on the benefits of concealed weapon permits. In the meantime, pray for her safety. Amy, you are one brave woman!

Comments

Amy Smith, Watchkeep, Gets Disturbing Emails From Greg Kelly. Is This What He Means By “My Story, HIs Glory?” — 51 Comments

  1. You know, if Greg Kelley wants people to believe that he’s truly innocent, he wouldn’t send harassing emails. He may be unhappy about Amy’s posts, but there are ways to deal with that, ways that don’t involve sending threatening emails. Greg, if you’re reading here, this ex-lawyer hopes you didn’t send those letters.

  2. When I saw the tweets today, I wondered why this was happening now. Greg was released from prison two years ago. He’s engaged, and I wondered why isn’t he happy, and looking forward to his wedding?

    So I googled and saw that his conviction was officially overturned on Nov. 6. He must feel like he’s free to behave however he wants to.

    This means that he’s held onto this rage towards Amy and the police for all of these years, and now feels free to express it. This is very troubling and scary.

  3. Justine:
    When I saw the tweets today, I wondered why this was happening now. Greg was released from prison two years ago. He’s engaged, and I wondered why isn’t he happy, and looking forward to his wedding?

    Somebody marrying him? A high risk situation at best.

  4. This case has always been crazy but i’m really confused. Did they overturn his plea deal that he took solely because they decided somebody else looked like him, kinda sorta? Even though the victim used his name and actually knew him (and would not be likely to get them mixed up in that case)?

    What an absolute mess. From what I remember reading, his followers seemed rather unhinged.

  5. The extent to which one relies on “the arm of the flesh” to protect himself from perceived adversaries might be a measure of his actual confidence in God’s goodwill toward him in Christ. This is one of the reasons why I have come to regard the churches at large (this is not a comprehensive statement, but my view of the tendency in recent decades and beyond) as not really the same kind of thing as what we read about in the Scriptures.

  6. Greg Kelley’s own words: “I really don’t like bullies.”

    So why are you acting like one, Kelley?

    Those are some seriously creepy e-mails. I hope that Amy does whatever’s necessary to stay safe.

  7. Justine,

    Tying in with your comment: I don’t know the laws in Texas. But, in Colorado a physical threat over any electronic device is illegal.

    “THREE” emails without any physical threats, this isn’t a person angry about false imprisonment. This is rightly convicted predator looking for revenge.

    His attorney doesn’t come across as court appointed. He must have the money to file civil actions regarding slander. Why send the emails?

  8. The boy, age 9, must have spent the last two years going through hell, knowing his molester was running loose. I hope his parents have relocated their place of residence. What now would prevent the molester from showing up on their doorstep?

  9. Samuel Conner: The extent to which one relies on “the arm of the flesh” to protect himself from perceived adversaries might be a measure of his actual confidence in God’s goodwill toward him in Christ. This is one of the reasons why I have come to regard the churches at large (this is not a comprehensive statement, but my view of the tendency in recent decades and beyond) as not really the same kind of thing as what we read about in the Scriptures.

    You have some great comments on this site. I could not agree with you more on this one. The 501c’s we call churches, including the ones that some of our commenters here go to including Dee, are not what Jesus calls His Church or The Church. We must recognize this in order to not be deceived any longer. It is not about theological stances for those that hold certain ones to be the truth have committed a form of idolatry as only Jesus is The Truth. It is not about sacraments or liturgies or the lack of emphasis on either for more modern ways. It is about knowing Jesus and following Him.

    The corporate gatherings were never designed to replace that but for the vast majorities this is exactly what happens. Then the local or national 501c3 becomes an idol that wars against God and must be torn down. This is the heart of the problem and why scandals exist in the first place that are made worse with the attempts to minimize sin and cover up true crimes.

  10. Justine: She was his girlfriend before this all started and has supported him throughout.

    Harley Quinn and her Joker?

  11. Brian:

    “THREE” emails without any physical threats, this isn’t a person angry about false imprisonment. This is rightly convicted predator looking for revenge.

    His attorney doesn’t come across as court appointed. He must have the money to file civil actions regarding slander. Why send the emails?

    You’re right. If this was someone wrongly convicted he’d be celebrating, not focused on seeking vengeance.

    His supporters must be paying his attorneys. He said he hasn’t been able to hold down a job in the last two years. He also said:

    “I couldn’t even volunteer at church because it required a background check.”

  12. Justine: So I googled and saw that his conviction was officially overturned on Nov. 6. He must feel like he’s free to behave however he wants to.

    As in “I Got Away With It — I Can Get Away With This!”?

  13. HeadlessUnicornGuy: Justine: She was his girlfriend before this all started and has supported him throughout.

    Harley Quinn and her Joker?

    A bunch of people who don’t know him seem to believe he’s innocent, I’m not surprised someone with an emotional attachment feels the same? That doesn’t mean she’s up for doing crime. Lots of people get taken in by good liars.

  14. Justine,

    You’re correct, he would be celebrating and talking to attorneys to file civil actions for false imprisonment and civil actions to others for slander.

    The point I was trying to make, and wasn’t clear enough about it, his emails stop just short of physical threats. He’s smart enough to stay silent. Then once he’s able to he sends intimidating but not physically threatening emails. He knows where the lines are so as to be intimidating without doing something illegal.

  15. Brian,

    Kelley could file a civil suit but that could mean he can’t collect a payout from the state of $80,000 a year for each of the three years he wrongfully spent in prison.

  16. Amy Smith,

    Isn’t his and his supporters being vocal backfiring somewhat? Employers still won’t touch him. Accusations, even if false, regarding the crime of molestation, employers are hesitant to employ them.

  17. Brian,

    My point with respect to GK’s behavior is that, granting for the sake of argument his claim to be innocent, his behavior is a far cry of that commanded in Romans 12, or exemplified by Jesus under threat from His enemies.

    With respect to the larger question of the churches at large, I simply mean that the NT church doesn’t seem to have been “in” to power or vengeance — perhaps one could say that power and vengeance are not really core competencies of the Church as we see it in the NT. But there is a lot of aspiration to power in our day. Maybe what we are seeing in our day is not that closely connected to what Jesus and the apostles started all those centuries ago.

  18. I went to the KVUE article. The current DA throws the previous DA under the bus and criticizes law enforcement. Also said the victim, now 10 years old, his memory now may not be clear enough. The other suspect, who later admitted to the crime and had child porn on his computer, they’re not going to pursue it. They just threw the child under the bus.

    One of my nephews was molested at age four. His memory is still clear on the details.

    Has anything been looked into that both GK and this other suspect had both been involved?

  19. KVUE article, the DA seems to throw the victim, the Texas Rangers, and the former DA under the bus.

    Couldn’t have both GK and the other suspect been involved together?

  20. Is This What He Means By “My Story, HIs Glory?”

    Only if “God’s Glory” is defined as “Whatever Benefits GK”.

  21. Brian: The point I was trying to make, and wasn’t clear enough about it, his emails stop just short of physical threats. He’s smart enough to stay silent.

    Isn’t that the sort of smarts you find among Sociopaths?
    From my experience, their only weakness is they have to Stay Respectable.
    They have to appear as The Angel of Light.

  22. And people wonder why I was afraid to sue a sex offender for lying to Liberty University. I still don’t understand why they thought he was a “reliable” sourced- because some church ordained him I guess. Still can’t figure out what church. Thank you for letting me vent a bit. BTW we’ve all stayed safe thank the Lord

  23. Headless Unicorn Guy: Only if “God’s Glory” is defined as “Whatever Benefits GK”.

    If I were the Almighty, I would put out the word that I’m sick and tired of being made out to be a cosmic narcissist whose only desire is to bask in ‘glory’.

  24. Justine,

    But marriage to someone that appears out to get anyone who crossed him is a really bad idea. As soon as the inevitable conflicts arise, instead of a spirit of forgiveness, you have a bully. If it was my daughter, I would advise her to look elsewhere.

    Is being a Christian about forgiving those who wronged you, or making sure you get even? I would say the former.

    J.M.

  25. Brian,

    The DA cannot proceed because the boy continues to assert that Kelley did it. I happen to believe the boy in this instance. Frankly, I think this DA is sending out strong signals in that direction. There is nothing to pursue and Kelley cannot be reconnected. So, we sit back and wait. If this guy has a problem, it will exhibit itself in the years to come.

  26. Amy Smith:
    Brian,
    Kelley could file a civil suit but that could mean he can’t collect a payout from the state of $80,000 a year for each of the three years he wrongfully spent in prison.

    I wonder what he’ll do. Go with the bird in the hand or sue. If he sues, all of this gets brought back up and people may remember why he was convicted. Then again, he believes his story is somehow helpful to God’s glory. I hope he’s not conning everyone.

  27. dee: If this guy has a problem, it will exhibit itself in the years to come.

    With unfortunately, more victims…

  28. Brian,

    Better explain my question. In Colorado, you can have the records sealed if a child molestation case is dropped. I’m not sure if found not guilty or if the conviction is overturned.

    If that can be done in Texas, his piping up alone should blow back on him.

  29. I Decided to put that poor future wife on my prayer list,Jesus let her see truth before her life is ruined.Christians please Pray.I just found out a mutual family friend sexually abused my best friends daughter. I AM SO MAD! I left that sgm church that we all were apart of when out of the blue the throught came to my mind that they were perverted and sexually abusive.Call it the the HOLY SPIRIT Speaking to me or the fact that being a female that was around white trash drunks in My childhood ,I smelled the stench.Ladies always believe that small still voice in you.I just wish I had enough wisdom and insite and the ability to communicate that to her mother.

  30. Muff, amen and amen!!!

    It is sooo good to be in a church where God’s love is paramount. His, He disciplines His children. Please note: HE does the discipling. Not us.

    But although we aspire to adhere to His standards best as we discern them as being His standards, we know we fail daily. Neither watering down the Law with “but that is too hard or doesn’t apply to me” nor excusing our failure, but never the less convinced everything God does is not about His glory, but His overwhelming love.

  31. linda,

    Don’t get me wrong.
    I am not in any way shape or form denigrating or denying God’s glory.
    In the Psalms and in many other parts of the Hebrew Bible, God’s glory is celebrated and extolled as it rightly should be.
    All I’m saying is that in that venue (Hebrew Bible), it (God’s glory) is not obsessed over as it is in some circles of Christendom.

  32. Brian:

    Obsessed over how? My understanding is everything we do every day should in someway glorify God.

    Just barging in on this conversation…

    I think in some circles, “glorifying God” is equated with something loud, public, and exuberant. Not in so many words, but somehow all the examples and encouragements lead to this kind of conclusion. A concert-like worship set. Sermons that draw thousands of attendees. Evangelizing in the mall. Big buildings with big marquees. Professionally produced music videos that are downloaded so many times. Always bringing Jesus into conversation with neighbors, coworkers, etc.

    Not that any of these are bad in and of themselves. But some circles in Christianity neglect praising the more humble and private acts that equally “glorify God.” A parent taking a deep breath before responding in love to a rambunctious child. A kind neighbor visiting a lonely shut-in. Mowing the lawn of someone recovering from surgery. A kind word to a grumpy co-worker. Listening compassionately to someone who’s suffered.

    When we’re “glorifying God,” are we doing it publicly where everyone can see, or in private where only God sees? (Mathew 6:1-4)

  33. Brian: Obsessed over how? My understanding is everything we do every day should in someway glorify God.

    Yes, here’s the kind of obsession I mean, and it’s not good.
    When they (the great generic ‘they’) tell us that God orchestrates human suffering and misery so that he can somehow tweak the mess he’s made so that it winds up aggrandizing his ‘glory’, I call nonsense.

  34. Muff Potter: When they (the great generic ‘they’) tell us that God orchestrates human suffering and misery so that he can somehow tweak the mess he’s made so that it winds up aggrandizing his ‘glory’

    Piper, MacArthur, Sproul (now deceased), Mahaney, and many others all teach this tommy-rot.
    I could use a more colorful descriptor, but it would never clear customs.