WTOL
June 12, 2008
http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=8466719
[with video]
SYLVANIA — The trial of the former pastor of Maumee St. Joseph Parish got underway on Wednesday, reports News 11's Jonathan Walsh. Fr. Frank Murd has been charged with sexual imposition.
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| Father Murd during the trial proceedings on opening day — Tuesday, June 11. |
The prosecution said Murd would hang out in YMCA locker rooms and that on March 18 of this year, he had a plan.
"This defendant used the JCC as a playground, a hunting ground to look for his next victim," one prosecuting attorney said of Murd.
The prosecution says the man Murd is alleged to have touched went into the hot tub naked, as had Murd. The man says he then started to float on his back, which is when Murd started to masturbate the man.
The man said he was shocked so he let it go on for 45 seconds to a minute.
The defense pounced on that.
Defense: Did you kick him?
The man: No.
Defense: Did you punch him?
The man: No.
Defense: Did you elbow him?
The man: No.
Defense: Did you spit on him?
The man: No.
Defense: Did you try to move away from him to the other side of the hot tub?
The man: No.
Murd first told investigators the following about what happened in the hot tub:
"As I was getting out, I did touch him... by accident and I did apologize to him."
He later admitted to stroking the man's penis.
The defense says the other man has bi-polar disorder and that he felt guilty after finding out Murd was a priest. They claim that's when the man decided to file the complaint.
The judge says he'll have his decision by Friday morning.
If convicted, Murd could spend 60 days in jail and get up to a $500 fine.
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