Judge Delays Sentencing for Priest Who Stole from Church, Dianna Cahn, South Florida Sun Sentinel, March 20, 2009

Judge Delays Sentencing for Priest Who Stole from Church

By Dianna Cahn
South Florida Sun Sentinel
March 20, 2009

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/breakingnews/sfl-priest-sentencing-delray-beach032109,0,3251464.story

The Rev. John Skehan turns to leave the courtroom after he pleaded guilty to grand theft of more than $100,000 from St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in Delray Beach.

DELRAY BEACH - A priest who confessed to stealing from the church he served for over 40 years will have to wait until next week to find out if he is going to prison.

The victims, the prosecutor and defense attorney all told the court today that the Rev. John Skehan should not be imprisoned for his actions after he pleaded guilty in January to grand theft of over $100,000 from St. Vincent Ferrer church.

But Circuit Judge Jeffrey Colbath, nonetheless torn by what he called "aggravating and mitigating" factors, said he needed more time to consider the appropriate sentence for Skehan.

Skehan told the judge that he "was sorry for the anguish he caused," and made no excuses for it.