BishopAccountability.org
	Mass. Trial of NY Priest Coming to a Close Wall Street Journal February 9, 2011 http://online.wsj.com/article/AP50ddda3398834cb8a50e3cd0f359b62d.html PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The trial of a New York man accused of raping two boys in western Massachusetts decades ago while serving as a Roman Catholic priest is coming to a close. A Berkshire Superior Court jury is expected to start deliberations on Wednesday following closing statements. Prosecutors allege the now 62-year-old Gary Mercure raped the boys in Great Barrington and Monterey in 1986, and in New Ashford in 1989. Mercure was a priest in the Diocese of Albany, N.Y., at the time and the alleged victims are from New York. The Berkshire Eagle reports that Mercure's lawyers said at trial that the alleged victims had been coached and cajoled into making the abuse claims. Prosecutors presented testimony from other alleged victims. Mercure was removed from ministry as a priest in 2008.
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