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  Body Language Betrayed Ex-Bishop Facing Child Porn Charges

AFP
October 8, 2009

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h84NxU-2vRApMz94HtnWL58iMgVg

OTTAWA — A Catholic ex-bishop facing child pornography charges was betrayed by his evasive responses to Canadian border agents, his tone of voice and his eye movements, a court document said Thursday.

The warrant used in an evidence search that led to the arrest of Raymond Lahey, 69, who resigned last month as bishop of the diocese of Antigonish, Nova Scotia over the scandal, was obtained by public broadcaster CBC.

It says Lahey was flagged for inspection upon arrival at the Ottawa airport from London last month because he was male and traveling alone, gave "evasive responses to questions pertaining to his possession of electronic media," his vocal tone changed and he avoided eye contact during specific questions.

It also details how, when asked by a Canada Border Services agent if he had a laptop computer, he hesitated and replied "yes."

Lahey's passport indicated he had made several trips since 2005 to Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Spain and Germany -- said by Canadian authorities to be source countries for child pornography.

The warrant was used to search Lahey's laptop computer, memory sticks, memory cards and two cell phones. A copy of it appears on CBC's website with details of the graphic images found on Lahey's laptop blacked out.

Authorities said in the warrant they discovered on Lahey's laptop graphic photographs of males who they suspected could be as young as eight years old.

Lahey had also admitted to police he was attracted to males aged 20 to 21, said the document.

Lahey was later charged with possessing and importing child pornography on September 25 following an investigation and turned himself in to Ottawa police on October 1.

He was released on bail the next day.

His next court appearance is November 4.

Only months ago, Lahey had brokered a landmark settlement worth 15 million Canadian dollars (14.25 million US) with more than a dozen people who claimed to have been sexually abused by priests in the diocese dating back to 1950.

He was widely praised for his efforts.

In August, he offered the victims and their families apologies on behalf of the Church and said he "hoped to never again have to deal with such reprehensible behavior."

Before news of the charges became public, Lahey resigned from his post, telling his flock that he needed time for "personal renewal."

 
 

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