(Hernando, MS) A man accused of molesting children in DeSoto killed himself.
Even after his death, James Marchand’s family still believes he’s innocent, but alleged victims keep coming forward.
Investigators say a total of ten young girls say Marchand molested them.
As prosecutors built their case, Marchand decided to end his life Wednesday.
Although Marchand will never be brought to trial, one mother believes it will spare his victims from testifying.
Her little girl had to do it seven years ago.
“She was molested by James Marchand,” she said.
The woman wants to remain anonymous to protect her daughter.
She says while Marchand won’t ever face a judge, his suicide means something.
“He no longer can hurt anybody else.”
The DeSoto County woman says in 2005, Marchand assaulted her daughter.
She was five years old at the time.
“She was so embarrassed by it, that shame and that guilt even at that age.”
Despite the embarrassment, her family took Marchand to court, but the trial ended in a hung jury and Marchand remained free.
Seven years later, new allegations surfaced.
Investigators say nine more young girls came forward saying Marchand molested them, too.
Some of their parents met Thursday at the DA’s office to get the news that Marchand took his own life and would never be brought to trial.
“We walked into the room and there are several sets of parents,” she said. “You just want to break down and cry because they didn’t have to go through this. They didn’t have to be there. That’s the most overwhelming part because it could’ve been stopped. It didn’t have to be 10 people.”
The mother says she wishes things would have turned out differently years ago, but believes justice will still be served.
“My reaction is that he took the cowards way out, that he escaped human punishment but no one can escape the punishment of God.”
The mother says her daughter, who is now 13 years old, has reached out to the other alleged victims and they all plan to get together in the coming weeks. ..Source.. by Sabrina Hall
Mid-South Man Accused Of Child Molestation
9-13-2013:
(Hernando, MS) A Mid-South man is charged with two counts of molestation.
James Marchand, 51, was booked in the Desoto County Jail Friday night.
Several weeks ago, investigators said they called Marchand to come in for questioning, but he drove into oncoming traffic while on the way.
He’s been in the hospital ever since.
Friday, he left the hospital for a jail cell and was booked on two counts of molestation.
His neighbors are stunned that the father of two is accused of molesting children.
“He’s a family guy. Easy going. Funny,” Joey Yarborough said. “Totally left field for me…I wouldn’t have ever dreamed anything like that from him.”
Yarborough has known Marchand for years. He knew he had been in the hospital recently.
“He was in an accident that he had a heart attack,” he said.
But he and his wife had no idea what was waiting for Marchand when he got out.
“It’s really shocking,” Taffany Yarborough said.
Also shocking to many on their quiet street was learning this was not Marchand’s first arrest.
He was charged with sexual battery in 2007.
According to court records, his trial ended in a hung jury.
“That’s terrible. I can’t believe that,” neighbor Cathy McCullough said.
Now, new legal troubles are ahead for Marchand.
We spoke with his wife at their home. She didn’t want to be on camera, and didn’t know her husband was even in jail.
She thought he was still in the hospital. She told us she had no clue who was making the accusations, but says they are not true.
For now, her husband is locked up on a $200,000 bond. ..Source.. by Michele Reese
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