Case Dates Back 40 Years
More TV 32
September 20, 2007
http://www.moretv32.com/news/14157038/detail.html
Milwaukee — A Roman Catholic nun turned herself in Wednesday to face charges of indecent behavior with children in a case dating back 40 years, WISN-TV in Milwaukee reported.
A Milwaukee County warrant was issued last week for the arrest of Sister Norma Giannini.
Her lawyer claimed that two court appearances scheduled for this month were missed because of the 79-year-old nun's ill health.
But faced with a bench warrant and the threat of arrest, she appeared in court unannounced Wednesday and was ordered to be there again when her trial starts in November, the television station reported.
 |
"There had been so many instances of her not showing, it was a good thing for us," Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge M. Joseph Donald said.
According to the criminal complaint, Giannini confessed to the Milwaukee Archdiocese 11 years ago that she'd had sex with boys on numerous occasions at St. Patrick's Elementary School in Milwaukee, often in the church's convent and school office.
Those admissions weren't reported to police, however, until the accusers themselves reported it last year, the TV station reported.
Giannini could strike a plea deal, but a trial also is a possibility.
"We're prepared to go to a jury trial if that's what it takes. I know it would be a couple of days really, really rough for us, but just to get some finality to this after all these years," accuser Jim St. Patrick said.
Giannini was released on a $10,000 bond and allowed to return to her nursing home outside Chicago.
Her religious order, the Sisters of Mercy, said Giannini has not been allowed to work with children since her confession to the archdiocese.
If convicted of the two counts of indecent behavior with a child, she faces up to 20 years in prison.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.