Priest seeks dropping of molestation charges because they happened a long time ago

[Ian David]

TUCSON - A priest formerly assigned to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, indicted last fall on charges he sexually abused two boys in the 1980s, is seeking to have the charges dropped because of the lengthy delay in the case.

<snip>

Underwood is accused of victimizing the boys, under the age of 15, in the early 1980s while serving as a priest at St. Odilia's Catholic Church.

<snip>

Meanwhile, Underwood had been a major serving as the senior Catholic chaplain for the 2nd Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, La., since 2005, according to Col. Daniel Charchian, the wing's commander. His current military status was unavailable. He has been free on bond.

<snip>

The diocese in 2002 began compiling a list of clergy with credible allegations of abuse against them. The diocese later reached a $22 million settlement with more than 50 people said they were sexually abused by clergy members in the 1960s, '70s and '80s.

Three diocesan priests have been imprisoned for sexual abuse. The diocese filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004 as it faced a raft of lawsuits but later emerged from that status.

More:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18585631&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_id=68561&rfi=6

[gatorick73]

1. Wow!

Dad was stationed at Barksdale in the mid 60's. I guess it was a good thing to be Episcopal!!

[zabet]

2. The crime was committed, he needs to be tried for it.

If this ploy works, wait for the next murderer to use it when they are
arrested years after the crime.

Welcome to DU gator! :hi:

[pitohui]

18. the statue of limitations is not a terrible idea actually

i don't quite see how an innocent person in this situation (not saying THIS priest is innocent) would be able to mount any defense whatsoever


how do you prove where you were and what you were doing years, nay decades, later? you can't, it's kafka-esque


murder is not subject to the statute of limitations but the body provides indisputable physical evidence that a crime actually occurred, so it does not become a game of "he said, she said," it would be naive to think that no one has convenient memories now that millions of dollars are being thrown about

[zabet]

22. I agree but I also know that 'Church Law' and the Laws of...

the state are two different entities. The Church has a long, proven history
of aiding and abetting child molesters - they need to take a different stance
and hold all clergy responsible for their actions. They are supposed to live the
'Christ like life' and I am sure child molestation is not one of the 'Christ like'
ways of living.

if nothing else, he should be removed from any job (by the church) that puts him
in contact with potential victims.

Forgive me if I have a harsh view of child molesters...as a victim it is hard to
have any other point of view.

[Bluerthanblue]

23. if there isn't sufficient "evidence" the priest has nothing

to really be found guilty of.

As for the statute of limitations, it has been waived or lengthened in some states, and i think this is not only fair it's important.

The money end bothers me. Having the person who is responsible exposed, and forced to face the reality of the harm that they caused- not being able to use their power or influence to avoid the ugly truth is more healing than anything. The child who should have been protected and cherished, not used for someones selfish perverted pleasure discarded like little more than a used condom aren't healed by money.
Money would just make me feel more ashamed.

Yeah, maybe it could help pay for therapy- but at what cost?

there are no happy endings for this experience. Working to prevent others from being victimized is the best possible hope. That and just choosing to live.

[malaise]

3. Check out this morning's BBC Front page

http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Popey better be careful about attacking other religions. He has so much to hide.

Full Story here
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6899391.stm

[Hubert Flottz]

4. From the depths of the Abby St.Giles,

Came a scream, that was noted for miles,
The Pope said My Gracious,
Don't Father Ovatious,
Know that the Bishop has piles?

[dsc]

5. There are legitimate reasons for a statute of limitations

I am very ambivolent about letting criminal cases such as this go to trial. I can't see how any defendent would be able to mount an effective defense of this type of case after 20 plus years. It goes to he said he said in all probability. But I also don't want the code of silence rewarded. Times like this I am glad I just am a humble school teacher and not a judge or legislator.

[JVS]

7. that is true

[dsc]

8. the solution I lean toward is permitting civil suits but not criminal cases

after a reasonable statute of limitation (10 years or victim reaces 21 whichever is longer). That would allow justice for the victims but lesson the chance innocents get caught up with the guilty.

[JVS]

9. I don't see that as a viable solution. Being taken to the cleaners financially because...

it is too late to be able to provide a defense, while not sucking as much as going to jail, is not right either.

[dsc]

16. civil has always had easier standards than criminal

it isn't perfect but the priests here choose their victims knowing that they would be unlikely to come forward.

[JVS]

20. Leaving case specifics out, when considering the concept of statute of limitations...

the basic idea is that eventually witnesses and contacts for alibis become so scattered that to mount a defense becomes overly difficult. I don't see saying "well things are too murky to let this guy be jailed, but not so murky that we couldn't let him be stripped of all his property" as being ethical.

[havocmom]

12. The Diocese in Tucson divested its self of most assets to avoid civil penalties

They pulled that stunt years ago when some serious shit started hitting fans around there. So, they have already subverted any attempts at civil justice.

They had a bishop who hid pedophile clerics and the Church promoted him. When more and more civil suits loomed, they 'gave' away assets to other Catholic organizations, so the Church still had access, but not actual title. The assets could not be used to pay civil judgments.

It's all about protection and avoiding responsibility. Has been that way for decades in that particular area.

[dsc]

15. There is no excuse for that

the victims here should be given the deed to the Vatican if need be to settle this.

[havocmom]

21. No, it wasn't moral, it was CYA bigtime

All about the $$ and the Church in Tucson sure as hell showed the true colors.

[Forkboy]

6. Fair enough.Stop bringing up Jesus then,as long we're talking shelf life.

[IdaBriggs]

10. LOL! Well said! nt

[Forkboy]

11. I can't take any credit.It was the late,great Bill Hicks.

[havocmom]

13. Love it!

:woohoo:

[sakabatou]

14. Um....

NO!

[Occulus]

17. And now in AZ

Can we PLEASE tax the living fuck out of this church?

PLEASE? I'd really like to find a way to close its doors, and taxing every least littlest penny it receives seems like a good start.

[spoony]

19. "I'd really like to find a way to close its doors"

I bet.