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The plea marks the end of a 20-month case, in which the former Spring Hill Baptist Church music and youth minister was accused of raping a 14-year-old girl before a Knoxville track meet in November 2006. The Friday hearing was for Byars's charge of fondling the rape victim's sister during the trip on I-40 in the Nashville area hours before the Knoxville crime.
The Friday appearance was a formality, since Byars on July 14 agreed to a nine-year sentence for both crimes.
Byars, 45, is scheduled to serve a year in the Knox County Jail, then be transferred to serve 364 days in the Nashville-Davidson County Jail. He faces seven years after that on supervised probation and a lifetime on probation.
He must also register with the state's sexual offender registry.
Byars, dressed in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs on his wrists, answered Judge Randy Wyatt with an almost-whispered "guilty" when Wyatt asked him to enter his plea.
After the hearing, Byars was returned to Knox County to serve the remaining 50 weeks of the sentence there.
I agree with Rasberry.... Very well put. Thank You!
As do I. But I also try to teach my children about the horrors and dangers in the world and to come forward and tell me if someone hurts them.
Mandy in response to ur comment:
Engage brain before mouth opens, b/c some of this stuff that is being said about Mr. Byars (and i am in no way condoning what he allegedly did) is ripping someone, somewhere apart and for the mere satisfaction of what? Someone getting to state their opinion and have it viewable on here?!
-- Posted by mandy on Sun, Aug 3, 2008, at 12:36 PM
Now that you have stated "your" viewable oppinion on here, I will state mine.
What "Byars" did is no longer an allegation. Not only did he confess when he was arrested - he pled guilty to the charges.
We are only trying to support this little girl who was raped and her family as well - nobody is trying to hurt the sicko's family - I feel sorry for them too. And I know what it feels like to be a little girl and to trust someone and to have that person rape you - so engage your brain and get a reality check - THE REST OF THE ENTIRE FREE WORLD WILL NEVER STICK UP FOR OR FORGIVE A RAPIST.
You are right, Mandy! We try to teach our children better than name calling!
Wow, this right here is better than the dramatic shows on tv.
What is all of this name calling solving? Nothing, except getting hot tempered people at each others throats. Engage brain before mouth opens, b/c some of this stuff that is being said about Mr. Byars (and i am in no way condoning what he allegedly did) is ripping someone, somewhere apart and for the mere satisfaction of what? Someone getting to state their opinion and have it viewable on here?!
Our job as citizens of Dyer County is not to point fingers, but rather see that justice is served. If he really did what has been said then be glad that he got some kind of punishment b/c there are so many guilty sex offenders/rapists/and child molesters still walking free and they are on OUR streets.. stop bickering back and forth and lets get some JUSTICE in this city!!
...Geeez......the people in this town!!!
Wowza!
rapberry, the individuals who take part in sexual perversion understand no part of the "wrong" concept. neither do the family members who want to condone the act(s) regardless of the situation. No matter what the circumstances are, there is always going to be a reason why the perpertrator has acted appropriately (in the eyes of the condoner). If more family members would stand against these acts, they would not be so rampid. Yes, i understand there are two sides to every story but a 14 yr old individual has no concent legally next to a 45 yr old adult. The mental capacity is in no manner equal. But, as I said, those who want to take up for another will never admit wrong doing. I never understood why in the Old Testament when an individual was caught doing such a crime he was stonned along with all of his family. I believe I am getting the picture -- not that I think it is politically correct for today's society but that I see the purpose in the eyes of the good Lord. And for anyone who thinks the "...blah blah blah" comments about the rape situation, let me assure you the story would change if you or your child was the victim here. I promise you.
If u dont know the facts then keep ur mouths shut... That is what is wrong with our city now... People thinkin they know what they are talkin bout and they have no idea... They just have the hear say of this drama filled city... Come on people use common sense.......
A sin, is a sin, is a sin . . . correct? If so then why is no one discussing 2 key players in this event being members of the Pink Poodles Swinger Club. Do we turn a blind eye since they are adults? Does being adult and having a sexual affair with someone other than your spouse not count as a sin? Are swinger parties even legal in Dyersburg?
YUCK!!!!!!!!
Maby we all should take up for this sick perverted man then maby our comments wouldn't get deleted NOT
He is sick, sick, sick. Piece of, you know.
Rape is RAPE, founling is fouling...............AS FOR CASTRATING TONGUES THERE WOULD BE NO TO SPEAK OUT FOR THE VICTIMES SO DOMINOE TRY TAKING UP FOR SOME ONE THAT HAS NOT PLEADED GULITY, GULITY,GULITY!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well said whoeveriam and Thank you I have also been there by my uncle noone would beleive me either because he was a Decon in out church. I feel so sorry for these children this is something that will be in their memory for the rest of their lives.
okay, i think that there are a couple of people here who just want to argue with each other! everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Whether you like their opinion or not is besides the point here. Also taking a stab at some one's spelling, do you not have anything better to say? I know a lot of very intelligent, great all around people who are not the best spellers. We are here to post our comments about the article! I believe that if he is not guilty or thinks he isn't guilty then he shouldn't have plead guilty. And i also believe that no matter who was in the car, the girl was probably in shock and didn't know what to say or do when he fondled her! Been there! And it's not a very fun place to be especially when people don't believe you just because of who he is or his job title!
HEALTHGIRL,MAYBE YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO SPELL MAYBE BEFORE YOU POST.MAYBE YOU ARE WRONG ON YOUR COMMENTS TOO.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
As I said, NONE of the Byars family are monsters!
I want to state that I am in no way shape form or fashion saying anything negative about Mrs. Byars or her children. My heart goes out to them and especially to the victim's and their family. He has hurt all of you terribly. And I have never called them "animals" or "monsters", those frases are reserved for Tim Byars - the man who hurt so many people with two incredibly sickening and disgustingly horrible acts.
Tim is not my husband, but his whole family are friends of mine, and I know that none of them are "animals" or "monsters", and that Tim was my daughters teacher also, both at church and school, and that he has never been accused of anything or suspected of anything before. They tried their best to dig up dirt on him. I know he made a mistake and is paying for it, but he did not suddenly decide to become a monster one night while his own girls were in the car with him. I know how some people LOVE attention, and that there are two sides to every story.
Dominoe: I am very sorry for you, I can't even imagine how horrible it would be to find out your husband admitted to doing something like that. We are not against you - we symathize for you as well, but you simply can't expect us to excuse what your husband did. We will NOT. I also pray for you and your girls, I hope that God gives you peace and comfort through this. I mean that.
I don't know whether he is guilty or not. I know that he pled guilty. Had he not plea bargained, then he could have gotten a bigger sentence. Correct me if I am wrong, please. I do not know either family and am not taking either side. I do know that kids tell stories without realizing what the outcome of that fib may be. I also know that when something is happening to one, whether it be a man touching a girl or a woman touching a girl, the one that it is happening to may just lay there, in shock. Not able to say a word, pretending to be asleep and hoping it will just stop. I know this from experience and knowing it happens to others. Like I said, I don't know what happened, I was not there, and I cannot judge. Just trying to see and understand both sides. One question, could lie detecter tests not be performed on all parties involved?
http://www.michie.com/tennessee/lpext.dl...
FYI:
Above is the exact web address to find the STATE DEFINITION of rape, for the people who seem to not understand.
Most likley the men that are taking up for this animal,is ,or has done something simlar,or they would,not be taking up for bryars. RAPE is WHEN aPERSON says NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, he plead GULITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! to all charges.
Again, I don't see how anything was "forced" with his two daughters in the same vehicle! Evidently, he touched someone, and should pay for this, and him and his family have already and will continue to pay greatly for this. Though his family are innocent parties in this also. And I wonder who is responsible for deleting part of this original ad that was in Sunday's paper? Evidently, someone doesn't was any sympathy shown for his wife who was crying on the front row. God is the only real judge here, and he is in control. And for you who want to call people "monsters" and "animals", what needs castrating is your tongues!!
I think before people start shouting RAPE, you might want to read up on Tenn. Law and see how RAPE is defined in your STATE. It is not what you and myself think of as RAPE. .......
-- Posted by Duckman47 on Mon, Jul 28, 2008, at 11:16 AM
As you can see by my previous comment, Duckman47 is sadly mistaken, you can check this definition for yourself. Go to the Tennessee Code site and put in the number 39-13-503.
I am copying what I found at the Tennessee.gov website. You all can read for yourself - I shouldn't have to do this and it makes me feel bad that I have to post the State Definition so people can stop twisting it into something it is NOT!!!
39-13-503. Rape. --
(a) Rape is unlawful sexual penetration of a victim by the defendant or of the defendant by a victim accompanied by any of the following circumstances:
(1) Force or coercion is used to accomplish the act;
(2) The sexual penetration is accomplished without the consent of the victim and the defendant knows or has reason to know at the time of the penetration that the victim did not consent;
(3) The defendant knows or has reason to know that the victim is mentally defective, mentally incapacitated or physically helpless; or
(4) The sexual penetration is accomplished by fraud.
(b) Rape is a Class B felony.
[Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 1; 1995, ch. 484, § 1; 1997, ch. 406, § 1; 2005, ch. 353, § 11.]
And stop defending
I think before people start shouting RAPE, you might want to read up on Tenn. Law and see how RAPE is defined in your STATE. It is not what you and myself think of as RAPE. That is real rape, and I too am offended by that. But your State defines rape as any type of touching by an individual. My definition of RAPE is much different than that. I do not condone what this man has done, but I do not think that his punishment was too light. You all might want to review the facts in this case before you start casting stones at someone. You are listening to only what the press is printing, and I make it a point to never believe everything I read in the paper or hear on TV.
It doesnt matter what we say on here. His conviction has been handed down. I am sad for the girls. I couldnt imagine what i would do had it been one of my daughters. They will go the rest of their lives with this on their souls. Any man who has an interest in young women is mentally sick. I do not think that it is curable and all of them should be put to death. However what should be done for the girls...they will always have trouble trusting that man was a minister and a youth girls coach. They will think its their fault because everyone knows who they are they will get strange looks or people will pitty them. This man took more than just something sexual and the judges being men will never understand what it is exactly so the consequences to them are plenty harsh enough. If it were their daughter wife mother or anyone close to them the consequences would be much more suitable not only for rapist but drug offenders thieves assault maybe then the punishment would not only be extremely harsh but maybe then
A man's life ruined... two girls' lives are forever altered... two families ruined and stigmatized... a good church undeservedly reproached and besmirched... the only winner here is Satan, and sadly, not enough people are interested in doing what it takes to defeat him
Sex offender my A this guy raped a 14 year old ,then fondling the sister this man is sick and a rapist, that it self should have gave him 15 to 20 but by him pleading guilty he gets a smack on the wrist. That should of made them throw the book at him cause with him pleading guilty hes admitting that he knew what he was doing and he knew that it was wrong he should have been looking at 30 to 45 years but Tenn laws are the lightest thats why everyone comes here to do crime cause there sentence will be light.
This is ridiculous. Sex offenders have something fundamentally wrong with them and should NEVER be allowed to exist in society again. He should be in prison, where the other inmates know how to take care of sex offenders. They would show him the "error of his ways" for having a taste for little girls.
Why was this article updated, with some content removed, some hours after it originally posted?
youknowimright you are exactly right too bad that everyone won't get a chance to read your commet because it will be deleted tomorrow.
he got a walk in the park. most sex offenders get 8 to 25 yrs and do their time in prison.
As I've posted before this makes me sick!!