Former Priest Headed Back to Court, by Leslie Almaroad, WCYB, February 23, 2011

Former Priest Headed Back to Court

By Leslie Almaroad
WCYB
February 23, 2011

http://www.wcyb.com/news/27001430/detail.html

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. -- A Sullivan County judge says the statute of limitations does not apply in a case against a former Kingsport priest.

William Casey is charged with Sexual Misconduct and Aggravated Rape against a young boy.

Authorities say the abuse took place between 1978 and 1980.

For that reason, defense attorneys for Casey asked the judge to dismiss the charges, saying the statute of limitations had expired.

"There was a a 31 year delay between the alleged act and this prosecution," said defense attorney Rick Spivey.

But prosecutors argued that the statute of limitations argument does no apply because of how the law was written when the incident occurred.

"It's simply the state's position that the law changed after these crimes were indicted," said assistant district attorney Julie Cantor.

In the end, Judge Robert Montgomery said the statute of limitations was not an issue in this case.

Several supporters of the victim in this case held signs and rallied outside the justice center.

Casey will be back in court on March 14th for a hearing in which the judge will determine whether there was a due process violation because more than 30 years have passed.

Casey is facing similar charges in Scott County, Virginia.