Several speak at trial for Columbia psychologist accused of sodomy

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The trial for a sodomy case involving a Columbia psychologist continued Wednesday at the Boone County Courthouse.

Kurt Bumby, 53, is accused of two counts of second-degree sodomy in 2010 and 2011. A possible victim told authorities in 2019 that he and Bumby had a sexual relationship when he was in high school.

The alleged victim said while on the stand Wednesday that he got to know Bumby through the psychologist's children. They became friends at school and through sports.

According to the alleged victim, Bumby made him feel as though he was part of their family, often taking him along on vacations to places like Mexico, Hawaii and a World Series game with his other children.

The alleged victim claimed the abuse would happen at Bumby's home in the middle of the night. The victim would spend the night at Bumby's house spending time with his friends who according to him, felt like had become "his brothers and sisters."

He claimed he would often sleep in Bumby's bed, while Bumby slept downstairs. In the middle of the night, the man claimed Bumby would often come into the room and get in bed with him.

"I'd wake up as he was coming in, and there's probably other times I'd wake up and he's in the bed," the alleged victim said. "He'd touch me. On my genitals, sometimes with his hand and sometimes with his mouth."

The mother of the victim was also in court Wednesday. She said over time, the relationship and the social boundaries Bumby would cross began to disturb her. She eventually went to the police to file a report.

When she brought her son in to talk with officers, he denied anything had been happening. The victim said this was due to his embarrassment and him wanting to pretend nothing was ever happening.

The defense argued that if it was an issue that disturbed him so greatly, he "should have" been reporting it as soon as he got an opportunity, and to stay away from Bumby like the alleged victim's mother told him to.

The victim's mother read a print out of an email she had sent to Bumby.

"I and my son do not want you or any members of your family in contact with my son or myself in anyway forever," she said while reading the email to the jury. "How dare you. Get some help that prevents you from doing this to someone else."

The mother said she was most likely just as emotional writing the email as she was reading it back when she realized what was going on. She claimed Bumby groomed her son, and also her with the friendship he had started with her.

The defense also produced printed emails of her messaging Bumby thanking him for the wine he brought over to her and the good conversations they had together.

Another person who claims they were abused by Bumby in the early 1990s spoke at the trial. He stated he was abused by Bumby from ages 11-13. He said Bumby inappropriately touched him in the middle of the night for years.

That person said the abuse stopped once he was physically big enough to match Bumby. He said he had grabbed Bumby around the throat and told him to never touch him again.

According to the prosecution during their opening statement on Tuesday, multiple times Bumby would enter the room where the alleged victim was sleeping in Bumby's house and touch him inappropriately. The defense on Tuesday waived its opportunity for an opening statement. The judge said Tuesday he believes the trial will not go past Thursday.

Bumby also faces a pair of sodomy charges in St. Louis County. A pre-trial conference is set for 9 a.m. Friday, March 17 in that case. A trial setting is set for 9 a.m. Monday, March 27.

Bumby also has a sodomy charge in St. Charles County. A disposition hearing in that case is set for 9 a.m. Monday, May 1.