BishopAccountability.org
	Crawford County DA Drops Old Charges against Ex-Priest Associated Press, carried in Philadelphia Inquirer March 18, 2008 http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/pennsylvania/20080318_ap_crawfordcountydadropsoldchargesagainstexpriest.html MEADVILLE, Pa. - The Crawford County district attorney has dropped molestation charges against a former Catholic priest because the prosecutor says he misinterpreted a recent law expanding the statute of limitations for such crimes. District Attorney Francis Schultz says he was wrong to file corruption of minors charges against 67-year-old Thomas E. Smith of Oil City, for allegedly fondling a boy four times between 1968 and 1970. In filing the charges last week, Schultz cited a law that took effect last year that extends the statute of limitations until the alleged victim turns 50. Schultz says the law isn't retroactive. The expanded limit applies only to incidents that occur after the new law took effect. Smith didn't immediately return a call for comment Tuesday. The Catholic church removed Smith as a priest in 2006.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.