By Melissa Hipolit , George Jackson , Nate Morabito
The TriCities
July 12, 2011
http://www2.tricities.com/news/2011/jul/12/casey-appear-court-scott-county-today-ar-1135860/
[with video]
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| The trial of a former priest charged with sexually abusing a child in his congregation more than three decades ago will likely be delayed this morning. |
The trial of former Catholic priest William Casey has begun. For up to the minute coverage on this trial as it unfolds join 11Connects and TriCities.com reporters here.
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UPDATE: July 11 11 p.m.
After nearly nine hours of questioning, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and a Sullivan County judge agreed on a jury for the William Casey trial. The eight men and six women (two of them alternates) will hear the case of the former Catholic priest.
Casey is charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of aggravated rape. According to Sullivan County District Attorney Barry Staubus, if Casey is convicted, each count holds a possible sentence of eight to 12 years in prison.
Warren Tucker accuses Casey of molesting him nearly three decades ago, while Casey was a priest at St. Dominic's Catholic Church in Kingsport. Tucker is now in his forties.
The jury was seated after a grueling day of questioning from both sides.
"The judge will instruct you that the defendant is not required to prove his innocence," Casey's attorney Rick Spivey told the potential jurors. "Do each of you have enough guts and enough common sense and enough courage that if the state did not prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt and to a morale certainty that you would acquit William Casey?"
Prosecutors told the the panel if selected they would hear graphic testimony. Staubus also told them they would hear a taped phone conversation between Tucker and Casey, recorded at a police station last year.
"Casey had authority (over Tucker)," Staubus told the jury, mentioning the alleged man's actions between 1978 and 1980, when he's accused of molesting the then teenager. "A child cannot consent (to sex with an adult)."
Opening arguments are set to begin in Blountville Tuesday at 8:30 am.
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UPDATE: July 11 5:05 p.m.
The jury has been seated for the William Casey trial. The jury is comprised of eight men and six women.
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UPDATE: July 11 11:39 a.m.
The jury has still not been selected. The judge has dismissed eight candidates thus far, many for either forming an opinion or knowing a lot about other cases.
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UPDATE: July 11 8:45 a.m.
Casey's attorney, Richard Spivey, asked the judge for a delay in the trial due to the atmosphere surrounding it. The judge denied the request and jury selection is about to begin.
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UPDATE: June 27 11:26 p.m.
William Casey's trial date has been set for September 27. For more on today's courtroom happenings click play on the video above.
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A former Catholic priest accused of sexually abusing a boy more than 30 years ago is scheduled to appear in court today.
William Casey faces a trial on charges of forcible sodomy and indecent liberties with a minor. He faces those charges in three different states – Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina.
In all three states, Casey’s accuser Warren Tucker alleges Casey sexually abused him at various locations in Sullivan County, Scott County and McDowell County, North Carolina.
Tucker says the abuse took place in the 1970's, while Tucker was a child attending Casey’s parish church in Kingsport.
Casey is scheduled to go to trial next month in Sullivan County. But, during his last court appearance earlier this month, his attorneys hinted they may ask for a change of venue.
This afternoon, Casey faces a plea deadline in Scott County.
We will connect you to the latest developments in the case later today on 11Connects and TriCities.com.
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