April 25, 2005

FORMER PRIEST ARRAIGNED ON SEX ABUSE CHARGES

WORCESTER (MA)
WCSH

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) -- The Reverend Paul Desilets was arraigned Monday in Worcester Superior Court. He appeared by videoconference from the county jail.

The 81-year-old Desilets appeared frail and said nothing during the brief proceeding. His lawyer entered not guilty pleas to a 32-count indictment.

District Attorney John Conte says at least nine of the men who were victimized between 1978 and 1984 are agreeable to a possible plea deal that would include some prison time for Desilets. Conte says the alleged victims are feeling some closure now that the retired priest is back in the country.

Posted by kshaw at April 25, 2005 08:18 PM