BishopAccountability.org
	Priest Trial Aborted ABC September 11, 2007 http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/09/11/2029853.htm?site=northtas The trial of a Catholic Priest accused of a sex offence against a student has been aborted. The Judge dismissed the jury in the Criminal Court in Launceston this afternoon after an emotional outburst from a witness. 70-year-old Gregory Lawrence Ferguson has pleaded not guilty to one count of maintaining a sexual relationship with a young person under the age of 17. He was a Catholic Priest and school teacher at Burnie's Marist College when the abuse is alleged to have taken place in 1970. When it was suggested by the Defence lawyer that his account of events was incorrect, one witness told the court "that's a joke because he's already been convicted ... that's why he's sitting there ". Justice Ewan Crawford said he did not blame the witness for the outburst, however, he would have no choice but to dismiss the jury. Ferguson has been as been remanded in custody to return to court in November.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.