BACKGROUND: There will be no trial in the child sex abuse involving the ex-husband of Cora Jakes Coleman, Brandon Coleman. The accused has pleaded guilty and is serving time in a Texas State penitentiary. The Jakes family has not made any public comments about the case since the verdict was announced in October.
(TSN): The state of Texas has convicted Richard Brandon Coleman on felony child sex abuse charges following a year filled with sordid allegations and attempts to protect Bishop TD Jakes family name. and secrets The defendant, who was married to the eldest daughter of the Potter's house founder, Cora Jakes-Coleman, pleaded guilty more than a year after he was arrested on the accusation that he molested adopted 13-year-old daughter Amauri who they were raising together.
The Slice News previously reported the scheduled trial date. While following up on the movements in this case, we discovered there will be no trial.
Avoiding a trial that was initially set for November 6 through a plea bargain, on October 23 Judge Cindy Ermatinger sentenced Mr. Coleman to 20 years of confinement in the Texas Department of Corrections. The sentence applies to each of the 2 counts against him, possibly totaling 40 years. His attorneys had rejected a 30 year sentence The first degree felony charges stemmed from a July 28, 2021 incident, although news of the situation did not surface until after Jakes-Coleman announced their divorce in January of 2022.
Ellis County District Court records indicate Coleman pleaded guilty to counts 2 and 5, aggravated sexual assault of a child and indecency with a child respectively. The judge dismissed counts 1, 3 and 4 as a part of the agreement.
At the time of the divorce announcement Cora sought to keep her personal problems quiet saying, “This is a very private and personal matter and I kindly ask for your prayers as I prioritize myself, and most importantly, my children’s well-being at this time. God bless.”
Shortly thereafter, she was separately accused of illegally taking a former friend's child. Tat woman, Michelle Loud, released this claim in a viral interview in which she attested that the Jakes family was manipulative and Cora deceived her.
Perpetuated by the rumor mill on social media, in the court of pubic opinion both Cora and Brandon were guilty. Brandon gained empathizers when he spoke to a You Tuber who was independently investigating the case. In a fragile state after being in jail for 3 months he attempted to clear his name saying he was absolutely innocent. "There is no reality, time or space that I will ever be that person," he exclaimed. Posters saw Brandon as a victim who did not have a chance against the powerful Jakes name, going so far as theorizing that he was set up. The ordeal was wrought with confusion.
While the saga may be over, without a trial, many unanswered question pertaining to how much may have been covered up and how long details were concealed may never be known.
Predatory behavior from a man who worked in ministry not being condemned or addressed publicly directly by Bishop Jakes was criticized by some. Other commentors online, where the discussions on the matter were rampant, came to the bishop's defense saying Cora and Brandon were adults who should be responsible for their own actions.
A Potter's house spokesperson released a statement saying the matter does not involved the Potter's House, separating Jakes' ministry empire from scandal. The statement also noted that the family was fully cooperating with law enforcement. There Black church community in particular expected the bishop to directly address the issue, i.e., light in the darkness who on the sexual abuse of a female, given that his audience is predominantly
In the end a labyrinth of betrayal and deceit is attached to one of America's foremost legacy ministries.