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	Ex-Abbot Convicted in Child Sex Assaults By Zeke MacCormack Express-News October 24, 2007 http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/stories/MYSA102507.01B.monktrial.32fd707.html JOHNSON CITY — Blanco County jurors late Wednesday gave the maximum sentence of 80 years and a $40,000 fine to William Hughes, former abbot of the Christ of the Hills monastery, for sexually assaulting novice monks in the mid-1990s. Hughes, 57, was convicted Wednesday on four counts of sexual assault of a child. He showed no emotion as the verdict was read by state District Judge Dan Mills. He later broke down and sobbed as he asked jurors for leniency in sentencing. His lawyers had appealed for probation, noting he had no criminal record. In closing arguments, defense attorney Eddie Shell didn't dispute that his client had sex with the victims, now 29 and 26, in the mid-1990s when they were novice monks at the monastery near Blanco. But Shell said it was unclear whether the sex had occurred before they reached the age of consent. Daniel Uballe, who was dismissed as an alternate juror when the testimony ended, said the state proved its case. He said the monks at the monastery "baited" the boys with kindness and pot. "I didn't have no idea they were bringing children and baiting them and abusing them," the longtime Blanco resident said. James "Bart" Wright, the older of the two victims, called the verdict "great." The older of Hughes' victims, who was not identified at the trial, expressed satisfaction with the sentence. He said, "If you have any suspicion that a child is being sexually abused, do something about it. The consequences of not doing anything are too great." Prosecutor Cheryl Nelson called Hughes the enforcer of the deviant desires of monastery founder Samuel A. Greene Jr., who died last month. "You heard evidence these sexual assaults occurred numerous times over a long period of time to both of these two gentlemen," Nelson said. Hughes is the second monk convicted of sexually abusing novices at the monastery. Jonathan Hitt was convicted of indecency in 1999 and is serving a 10-year sentence. Although not convicted, Greene, 63, pleaded guilty to indecency in 2000. Under a plea deal, he got 10 years' deferred adjudication. Testimony in the punishment phase started with Blanco County Sheriff Bill Elsbury, a deputy and two Texas Rangers, who testified in quick succession that the defendant had a poor reputation regarding being truthful. When the defense got its turn, Hughes, 57, cried for more than a minute when asked his name. When he recovered, he proclaimed his innocence and said he hoped he'd get probation. "I'm disappointed in the verdict," he told the jury, "but at the same time, it's your job to do what you did, and I appreciate that." He testified that he'd never had sexual contact with Wright but had sex with the other victim only after the novice turned 17. Asked by his attorney if he'd like to say something to the victims, he said, "I'm sorry for all the offenses I've committed." Under cross-examination by Nelson, Hughes admitted smoking pot and having sex over the years with four other monks — Greene and three others who are awaiting trial. Pushed by Nelson on whether he assaulted the novices, Hughes said, "I certainly wasn't interested in having sex with minors." When asked why jurors should believe he could be rehabilitated, Hughes testified, "I've learned my lesson." E-mail zeke@express-news.net
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