Wichita Priest Accused of Lewd Conduct Had 1988 Sex Offense, by Cliff Judy, KWCH, June 17, 2010

Wichita Priest Accused of Lewd Conduct Had 1988 Sex Offense

By Cliff Judy
KWCH
June 17, 2010

http://www.kwch.com/Global/story.asp?S=12669123

[Read Criminal Notice to Appear]

[1988 Verdict Form]

Father Leslie "Doug" Campbell

Thursday morning, prosecutors pointed out Campbell was arrested in 1988 at Herman Hill Park in south Wichita. The undercover officer Campbell touched in 1988 testified Thursday. That officer said after the incident, Campbell was put in cuffs and said he was a priest.

It is important to note the judge in the case ruled the 1988 conviction will not be allowed as evidence in Campbell's new trial.

Campbell was a priest in Columbus, Kansas, at the time of his 1988 arrest. Campbell is currently on leave from his ministerial duties at St. Jude's Catholic Church in Wichita.

The Catholic Diocese of Wichita says it didn't find out about the 1988 conviction until Campbell's arrest last year.

The diocese says it started doing background checks three years ago on all employees, including priests. The diocese checks three different public registries, all free and online. However, the KBI sex offender registry wasn't created until 1994. Campbell's 1988 conviction wouldn't have shown up.

The diocese does not conduct name-based certified KBI background checks, which cost $30 each. That check covers all convictions dating back to 1939 and likely would have shown Campbell's conviction.