Attorneys for sect leader appealing molestation conviction

Attorneys for the leader of a quasi-religious sect who was convicted of child molestation and racketeering have filed an appeal in federal court, saying a key government witness in the case has recanted her testimony.

Malachi York, head of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors, was sentenced to 135 years in federal prison last month. His conviction in January was largely based on the testimony of cult members who said he regularly molested children and manipulated the sect's finances from 1998 to 2002, when federal agents raided their compound.

On Monday, York's attorneys asked U.S. District Court Judge C. Ashley Royal for a new trial, citing an affidavit from one of those members recanting her testimony that York molested her and then had her solicit other children to have sex with him.

York supporters had sent videotapes to several media outlets on April 22, the day of his sentencing, showing the woman saying she had been coerced into testifying by York's son, Jacob York.

"I take her at her word," defense attorney Jonathan Marks said Monday. "She said she really didn't understand it would go this far and she wants to right this awful wrong."

Marks said she was one of several alleged victims who now say they were not molested by York.

"I haven't talked to every one of the victims who testified during the trial, but I have talked to some who were named as victims," he said. "Quite a number have said they were not victimized."

Federal prosecutors did not return phone calls seeking comment Monday.

York still awaits sentencing in Putnam County Superior Court, after he pleaded guilty in January 2003 to 77 counts of child molestation, aggravated child molestation and exploitation of children.