By Matt Pais
Asbury Park Press
June 15, 2009
http://www.app.com/article/20090615/NEWS/90615068/1004/NEWS01
FREEHOLD — The case against Bartholomew McInerney will proceed to trial after the former St. Rose baseball coach rejected any and all potential plea agreements that would have called for him to serve jail time.
McInerney could face up to 120 years in prison if convicted of all charges in a 12-count indictment alleging he engaged in a series of sexually explicit conversations with his players.
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| Bartholomew McInerney |
At a hearing before Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mellaci Monday afternoon, McInerney formally declined to accept any potential plea agreements with prosecutors that would call for him to serve time behind bars and also declined to make any counter plea offers. Mellaci then set a trial date of Jan. 4.
McInerney has been free on $200,000 bail since his arrest in July. He is accused of victimizing 12 of his players between 2001 and June 2007 by pressing them for details about their sexual activities and asking the boys to masturbate.
Mellaci said at Monday's hearing that prosecutors expect to present their case against McInerney over three weeks at trial. He directed Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter J. Boser and McInerney's attorney, Charles Uliano, to prepare a list of questions to be asked of potential jurors.
Uliano said following the hearing that his client is anxious for the chance to defend himself at trial.
"Bart McInerney believes it is best for everyone involved in this case that this matter proceed at trial," Uliano said following the hearing. "The falsity inherent in the words and action of his accusers will be apparent for all to see."
First Assistant Monmouth County Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw declined to comment about the case following the proceeding because it is heading to trial.
In April, Uliano attempted to have some of the charges in the case downgraded. He argued that McInerney did not have the type of supervisory responsibility over his victims that justifies his client being charged with second-degree crimes.
Mellaci rejected that argument and also denied a motion filed by Uliano seeking a change in venue based on the amount of media attention the case has received.
In addition to the charges brought in the indictment, McInerney has been named in a civil suit brought by the estate of Andrew Clark, who died in June 2008 after being struck by a NJ Transit train near the Wall crossing in Spring Lake.
According to the complaint, the abuse against Clark, who was one of McInerney's alleged victims, was a factor in his death. Filed in August, the complaint also names St. Rose High School and the Diocese of Trenton.
"We anxiously await being able to prove our case," said Raymond Gill, the attorney representing Clark's family.
That case remains on hold pending the outcome of the criminal trial.
Matt Pais: (732) 643-4072 or mpais@app.com
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