By Robert Gavin
Albany Times Union
February 18, 2009
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=770950
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| John Broderick, the suspended Roman Catholic priest on trial for sexually abusing three boys, enters Montgomery County Courthouse in Fonda this morning. |
FONDA — A Montgomery County jury returns to court this morning after failing to reach a verdict Tuesday in the case of a Catholic priest charged with sexually abusing young boys.
The Rev. John W. Broderick, faces up to seven years in prison on charges he molested the children, whose family he had befriended, between late 2006 and early 2007.
A jury of eight women and four men started deciding his fate around 12:30 p.m. Judge Felix J. Catena sent them home just after 5 p.m.
As jurors began deliberations, Broderick and supporters stood in a hallway saying the Rosary with eyes shut. "I believe God is the ultimate judge," Broderick told reporters. When asked about his prayers, he said of supporters: "I just thank them for their support and their prayers."
Broderick is assigned to the Syracuse Roman Catholic Diocese; he was suspended last year. He was taken into custody Feb. 25, 2008, at the Holy Name of Jesus Academy in Massena. He is now charged with two counts of sexual course of conduct against a child and child endangerment.
During closing arguments Tuesday, the priest sat and listened as District Attorney James E. Conboy addressed jurors for 45 minutes. He said their decision comes down to whether they believe three boy witnesses or Broderick.
"It's that simple," said Conboy. "If you believe these boys, he's guilty."
The three children, now ages 6, 10 and 12, testified from closed-circuit television last week. One alleged the priest served him wine and it made him dizzy. Another said the priest inappropriately touched him while bathing him.
"I don't want to talk about it," the child testified, calling the area private. One of the children alleged Broderick reached three fingers into his pants "on purpose."
The boys' testimony was requested to be reheard in as jurors deliberated.
Earlier in the day, Broderick's defense attorney, Mark Blum, spent 50 minutes telling jurors why he believes they should acquit the priest. He said one of the boys, at one point before the trial, said, "Father Broderick didn't do anything wrong."
The lawyer said the case was without a "scintilla of evidence." Blum cast the boys's father as a vindictive man who used the children to suit a personal agenda. The priest had become his wife's "spiritual advisor," he noted.
Blum told jurors not to believe the children's testimony, saying they can be prone to fantasies. He also questioned the case's timeline.
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