Update on Jehovah's witness issue

The PE reports that the court of appeal declined to hear a defense petition which sought to have the appellate court stay the enforcement of the trial court's ruling allowing church elders to be examined under oath. In English, this matter revolves around a criminal trial of a Jehovah's witness member accused of molestation. Several church elders conducted an investigation. The DA wants to examine the elders on their findings. The defendant wanted to keep the evidence out claiming as his basis for his request the priest-penitent exclusion. This exclusion to evidence allows people to confess their sins to their religious confessor. Well, the trial court deemed the elder's investigation not a confession and allowed the testimony. The defendant then went to the court of appeal. The court declined to hear it which does not really decide the issue. Instead, if the defendant is found guilty he will be allowed to appeal then and have the court of appeal decide the matter then.