April 25, 2006

Priest enters plea in sex abuse cases; 30-year term suspended to probation

CHARLESTON (SC)
The Post and Courier

BY SCHUYLER KROPF
The Post and Courier

A priest about to go on trial for sexually abusing two Charleston boys nearly 30 years ago will escape prison time under a plea deal reached Monday.

Both victims approved terms of the plea for the Rev. James Nyhan.

But both said they had second thoughts when Nyhan's apology came off sounding short of full remorse.

In brief remarks, Nyhan, 60, said he was sorry for his actions during 1979 and 1980, when he was stationed at the Church of the Nativity on Folly Road.

"I feel badly this colored my otherwise fruitful stay in Charleston," Nyhan added.

"It was pathetic," said one of the victims after sentencing was imposed by Circuit Judge Markley Dennis.

Posted by kshaw at April 25, 2006 03:15 PM