If you’re unfamiliar with Tyler Deaton, check this out. If you recall, he’s the young man whose wife, Bethany was allegedly killed by Micah Moore. This story is a strange one involving Bible studies, religion, and possible cults. As the events proceed towards the trial, the story is getting more complex. The latest? According to his lawyer, Micah Moore’s confession was false.
Micah Moore’s confession in the death of Bethany Ann Deaton, the new wife of his spiritual leader Tyler Deaton, was a fiction born from a fragile mental state, his lawyer said Wednesday.
“We are aware of no evidence that a crime has occurred,” said attorney Melanie S. Morgan, reading a statement after a brief court hearing. “The facts suggest Bethany Deaton’s death was an unfortunate suicide and Micah Moore had nothing to do with that suicide.
“Driven to the police station by representatives of his church community, Micah told a fictional account that was bizarre, nonsensical and most importantly, untrue. They were the figments of a distraught and confused young man under extreme psychological pressures as a result of his friend Bethany’s untimely suicide and the sudden removal of his spiritual leader, Tyler Deaton, from their extremely close-knit religious community.”
Moore originally confessed to murdering Bethany at the “order of her husband, Tyler Deaton.” The group allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted Bethany over several months and she was allegedly killed because she was going to expose the group to her therapist.
Moore’s lawyer says this was a fabrication.
“The doctrines taught in that community affected Micah’s mental state and, unfortunately, dominated his thinking,” Morgan said. “Micah’s fiction to the police led to the filing of the complaint in this case.”
Deaton hasn’t been charged with any crime.
