The case against a Craig pastor who allegedly attempted to strangle a juvenile is set to go to trial after the defense rejected a plea agreement on Monday.

Parrish Terry, 58, was arrested June 15 and is charged with second-degree assault strangulation, a Class 4 felony.

During an interview with Craig police, the alleged juvenile victim told officers that Terry had allegedly “attempted to grab him by the side.” According to the affidavit, the juvenile noted that he allegedly “slapped (Terry’s) hand away.”

When the juvenile allegedly said this, Terry allegedly started to chase the juvenile, according to the affidavit.

“At first, he thought it was play fighting, but then he got scared” and locked himself in a room, states the document. The juvenile told police that Terry began trying to open the door and started pounding on it.

When the juvenile said they opened the door, Terry allegedly grabbed him by the ears, then grabbed him by the throat, “lifting him up,” according to the affidavit.

“At one point, (Terry) pushed him against the wall, causing him to hit his head,” the affidavit continues.

According to the document, the juvenile took photos of the marks left on his neck. A Craig police officer also observed “light red marks on his neck” and “fingernail marks” after the incident.

The affidavit states that the juvenile told police that he had a lump on the back of his head and a headache, and could not properly breathe when Terry allegedly strangled him.

When police asked Terry about the fingernail marks on the juvenile’s neck, Terry told police to “look and see if the marks on (the juvenile’s) neck were self-inflicted,” states the affidavit.

Terry also told police the juvenile “swung and hit” him, which police said “pointed out something physical did happen,” according to the affidavit.

Terry later told police that the juvenile “didn’t swing” at him but only “hit” him.

Police arrested Terry because they said his “statements of the events seemed to evolve when confronted” and based on “the images of (the juvenile’s) neck and head being consistent with (the juvenile’s) statements.”

A protection order, barring Terry from contacting the juvenile or any witnesses to the alleged crime, any location where the juvenile may be found, and consuming alcohol or controlled substances, was filed June 26.

In August, the case was transferred to the 14th Judicial District Court from the Moffat County Court. Chief District Court Judge Brittany Schneider took over the case from Moffat County Judge James Hesson after the case was transferred.

During a plea hearing Monday, Terry’s attorney, Sean Brown, requested the court set the case for trial and noted that District Attorney Matt Karzen had “extended an offer.”

Brown also stated that he discussed the plea offer with Terry, but Terry wanted to go to trial rather than accept the plea.

“The only thing I can say right now is it’s an ongoing case, and of course, with it being an ongoing case, there’s nothing that can be said until after the trial,” Terry told the newspaper following his arrest in June.

The trial, scheduled to begin March 3 of next year, will extend three days with 12 jury members. Karzen stated that jury selection could “take a little longer” due to media coverage and because Terry is well-known in the community.

Terry was released from the Moffat County Jail on June 16 after posting a $1,000 bond.

Editor’s note: Every person accused of a crime is presumed to be innocent unless and until their guilt is established beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.