Grocer Joined Sex Games, McMartin Witness Says

A 10-year-old witness in the McMartin Pre-School molestation case testified Friday that a grocer touched him during sexual games at a Manhattan Beach market six years ago.

It is the first time in more than sixth months of testimony that anyone other than teachers has been named as a participant in the alleged molestations, although child witnesses have previously made references to “strangers” being involved.

“Two of the men who touched you were Ray Buckey and Ray, the owner of the market?” attorney Daniel Davis, representing chief defendant Raymond Buckey, asked during his cross-examination.

“Yes,” the boy replied.

Rasheed (Ray) Fadel, owner of Harry’s Market, denied the allegations in a phone interview.

“That’s not true at all. I don’t know where he is getting his stories. He is making up stories,” Fadel said.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Glenn Stevens, one of the prosecutors in the case, refused to comment on the child’s remarks.

Tells of ‘Tickle’ Game

The boy testified last week that he was taken to the market by McMartin teachers and that he and other children had to take off their clothes and play “tickle” and “naked movie star.” He said at that time that the grocer had watched the games. Fadel has also denied those accusations.

Shortly after the testimony, Municipal Judge Aviva Bobb excused the child for the day when he complained of a headache. The boy is the second of 41 alleged victims to testify at the hearing, which will determine whether the defendants will stand trial.

Besides Raymond Buckey, other defendants are the school’s founder, Virginia McMartin, 77; her daughter Peggy Buckey, 58; Peggy Ann Buckey, 28, Raymond’s sister; Betty Raidor, 65; Mary Ann Jackson, 57, and Babette Spitler, 36.