Trial starts for man accused of stealing Ventura mission relics


In opening statements Wednesday, attorney Rebekah Mathis said client Edward Burgess went into the Ventura church to steal the items but never walked into the rectory, where two priests live.

Prosecutor Lauren Malan said the rectory is part of the church and considered a home to two priests who live there and are on call to meet people’s spiritual needs.

Residential burglary carries a harsher sentence, and the conviction is considered a strike, according to attorneys.

Burgess, a Ventura transient, broke into the mission Oct. 12, 2012, and took nine items, according to Ventura police Cmdr. Brock Avery.

Malan told jurors that Burgess sold one of the stolen items to a man working at a liquor store.

Burgess, 26, is in custody in lieu of $60,000 bail.

Mathis told jurors that the church is open to the public and has security cameras that captured Burgess’ movements throughout the church but that he never went into the rectory.

Burgess also is a suspect in two other thefts.


A maintenance worker interrupted the theft.



First-class indicates that a chip of the bone of the saint is in the artifact. Seven of the relics were given to the mission by Vatican-sanctioned agencies.