Carlsbad, CA, priest testifies he was helping vomiting student, not sexually groping him
A Carlsbad priest accused of groping a seminary student’s groin twice in a restroom stall during a night of heavy drinking testified Friday that he was merely trying to put pressure on the man’s stomach to help with vomiting. The Rev. Juan Garica Castillo’s testimony came during the third day of his misdemeanor sexual battery trial in Vista Superior Court. He faces up to six months in jail if convicted.
Taking the witness stand for the entire morning, Castillo, 35, testified that he did touch the 33-year-old vomiting student from behind in the bathroom, but it was in no way sexual. He said he put one hand on the student’s back. “I tried to put my other hand on his stomach,” Castillo said.
The student testified otherwise, saying Castillo’s hand found his groin, where he massaged and pulled on his genitals in a clear move to get him aroused. He asked the priest to go away twice. “This was no mistake. He was trying to get me going,” the student testified. (The Union-Tribune does not name the victims of sex crimes)
Rev. Castillo invited two students out for drinks following the evening mass he led. The priest immediately ordered a round of Long Island iced teas for the trio. Castillo made sure the Long Islands kept flowing, as well. The priest admitted he’d been pushy with the drinks, but he said that was part of his nature. Castillo also wasn’t shy about reaching over and touching the accuser during conversation, messing with his hair and taking hold of his hand at times. That was also natural behavior, the priest said.
“By nature, as a Latino, I’m a very touchy person,” Castillo told the jury. “I use my hands a lot, especially when I’m drinking.”
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/courts/sd-me-father-castillo-20181214-story.html
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