January 22, 2005

Bishop to testify in trial

MANCHESTER (NH)
The Union Leader

By KATHRYN MARCHOCKI
Union Leader Staff

MANCHESTER — Bishop John B. McCormack will testify against defrocked priest Paul R. Shanley as a cooperating witness for the prosecution in Shanley’s child rape case, the bishop’s attorney said yesterday.

“Bishop McCormack is providing testimony for the commonwealth. They have reached out and asked for his assistance in this matter and he has agreed to do so. He is appearing without a subpoena,” said Boston attorney Eileen M. Quill.

Shanley, 73, is accused of child rape and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 in Massachusetts.

Twelve jurors and four alternates impaneled this week will hear opening arguments Monday in Middlesex County Superior Court in Cambridge, Mass.

The alleged victim, now 27, said Shanley raped him repeatedly at St. Jean the Evangelist Parish in Newton, Mass., between 1983 and 1989. Charges related to three other alleged victims have been dropped by prosecutors.

Posted by kshaw at January 22, 2005 07:37 AM