By Gary V. Murray
Telegram & Gazette Staff
February 4, 2011
http://www.telegram.com/article/20110204/NEWS/110209858/-1/NEWS06
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| Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad, appears in the Worcester Central District Court this morning. (T&G Staff Photos/TOM RETTIG) |
A priest accused of raping and assaulting a woman was ordered to have no contact with the woman involved today as a condition of his release on personal recognizance.
The Very Rev. Charles M. Abdelahad, former longtime pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral, was arraigned in Central District Court on charges of rape, five counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and four counts of assault and battery.
The assaults are alleged to have occurred on or about July 14, 2007, and on other diverse dates, and the date of the alleged rape is listed in court records as on or about Sept. 1, 2009. All of the alleged crimes were said to have been committed at the church complex at 30 Anna St., off Lake Street.
Rev. Abdelahad, who left the parish in November, according to parishioners, sat on one side of the courtroom with a large group of supporters, including other priests, before this morning's arraignment.
His accuser, 43 years old, sat on the other side with several family members and a victim-witness advocate from the district attorney's office.
According to a statement filed in court by Detective Maureen Siedlecki in support of her application for the criminal complaints against the 55-year-old Rev. Abdelahad, he stands accused of biting and kicking the alleged victim, pulling her hair, shoving her head against the floor, hitting her in the face and head with his fists, striking her with a religious icon and wooden replica bat and scratching her with a set of keys.
The rape charge involves an allegation that he forced the woman up against a wall and sexually assaulted her.
Assistant District Attorney Paula J. Frasso did not ask that bail be set in the case this morning, but did ask Judge Janet J. McGuiggan to order that Rev. Abdelahad, of 14 Bryant Ave., Shrewsbury, stay away from the alleged victim. Judge McGuiggan issued the order after Rev. Abdelahad's lawyer, James G. Reardon Jr., said he had no objections.
Rev. Abdelahad was released on his own recognizance and his case was continued to March 11.
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| Supporters of Rev. Abdelahad, Jo-Ellen El Khoury of Westboro, left, and Lisa C. Oates of Holden speak to reporters after his arraignment this morning. |
Rev. Abdelahad declined to comment on the allegations after the arraignment, referring questions to Mr. Reardon.
“I would just simply say it's very unfortunate that these allegations have been made,” Mr. Reardon told reporters. Mr. Reardon said there was “a very significant other side to this story,” which would come out in court, and that he expected his client to ultimately be exonerated.
“I believe he is not guilty of these charges,” he said.
Contact: gmurray@telegram.com
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