By Jeff Coen
Chicago Breaking News
October 24, 2008
http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/10/verdict-upcoming-in-ex-priests-trial.html
Donald McGuire, the defrocked Jesuit priest who once served as a spiritual adviser to Mother Teresa, was convicted today in federal court in Chicago of engaging in sexual acts with a minor during trips abroad between 2000 and 2002.
The victim, identified in court only as Dominick, testified the abuse started when he was 13.
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| Rev. Donald McGuire Photo by David Trotman-Wilkins |
To buttress the government case, four additional witnesses testified that McGuire also molested them during overseas trips when they were underage.
McGuire was convicted in Wisconsin in 2006 of molesting two students from Loyola Academy in Wilmette during trips near Lake Geneva in the 1960s. He is appealing his 7-year prison sentence.
McGuire, 78, faces up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 18, though the range of the actual sentence he might face has yet to be calculated.
He sat still in his wheelchair as the verdict was announced. His lawyer and supporters said they were disappointed with the outcome.
"I hope at sentencing they account for his health," said Mike Larsen, who described himself as a 20-year friend of the former priest.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Julie Ruder said the key to the case was the testimony of the five alleged victims who told the jury what happened to them.
"They are without question the heroes of this case," she said.
Ruder said she hopes the case emboldens other victims of abuse to come forward and make reports. As she had in her closing argument, she criticized the defense tactic of suggesting the victims were just out for money from the church.
"It was outrageous," she said. "It was offensive."
McGuire's attorney, Stephen Komie, said McGuire dictated a statement to him in the lockup after the verdict was announced.
The ex-priest said he was disappointed.
"I was hoping for a better outcome and exoneration," the statement said.
He said he would appeal and that the jury was guided by rules of evidence that favored the government.
"I continue to pray for the spiritual well-being of all the people involved in the case," McGuire said. "I put myself in the hands of the Lord as he is my salvation and hope."
The jury reached a verdict after deliberating for about an hour at the end of Thursday and again Friday morning.
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