HAWAII
TheHawaiiChannel.com
POSTED: 11:46 am HST August 1, 2005
UPDATED: 2:43 pm HST August 1, 2005
HONOLULU -- A Maui judge Monday reduced the bail amount for a Roman Catholic church deacon charged with sexually assaulting a boy.
Circuit Judge Shackley Raffetto Monday decreased the bail for James "Ron" Gonsalves to $100,000, down from $790,000.
The judge also imposed several conditions if Gonsalves is released on bail. Gonsalves would be required to stay within his home except when he is authorized to visit his attorney's office. He was also ordered to stay away from minors and one mile away from St. Ann Church, which he administered until June 22, when he was placed on administrative leave.
"He has tremendous support in the community as evidenced by many members of the congregation of St. Ann's here today, who love and care for him," defense attorney Philip Lowenthal said in court.
Gonsalves pleaded not guilty last week to 62 counts of first- and third-degree sexual assault. He's accused of sexually assaulting the boy for three years starting when the child was 12 years old.
The most recent count allegedly happened in June.
Posted by kshaw at August 2, 2005 02:30 AM