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	Former Kingsport Priest's Child Sex Abuse Sentencing Postponed By Kacie Breeding The Times-News August 22, 2011 http://www.timesnews.net/article/9035032/former-kingsport-priest39s-child-sex-abuse-sentencing-postponed The sentencing of a former Kingsport priest convicted in July of first-degree sexual misconduct and two counts of aggravated rape in Sullivan County Criminal Court has been postponed. The judge announced he had agreed to postpone the sentencing of William Casey, 77, 740 Shakerag Road, Greeneville, to Oct. 7 after the attorneys advised there were a, "couple of issues both parties were not able to address." Also, the pre-sentencing report was not received 10 days in advance of the hearing date, as is required. Casey has been incarcerated pending sentencing since his conviction, after a judge declined to grant him a bond. His charges alleged he began to sexually abuse a young altar boy shortly after becoming priest of St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Kingsport in the 1970s. Sullivan County District Attorney Barry Staubus called the case “one of the most emotionally draining” that he’s ever handled, but said he believed the victim, Warren Tucker, now 46, has finally been “vindicated” after 35 years. Tucker testified Casey raped him twice — once when he was 13 and once when he was 14 and performed oral sex on him in his mother’s trailer shortly before his 15th birthday, with Tucker saying he “felt obligated” to reciprocate the act. He described feeling powerless to resist a man he believed to be “representative of God on earth.” Casey is currently on probation for a conviction out of McDowell County, N.C. He also has been placed on electronic monitoring due to pending charges in Scott County, Va. Tucker is cited as the victim in both of those cases as well. The judge has previously stated in open court that applicable laws appear to prohibit him from considering probation or alternative sentencing for Casey in his court. On Monday, Staubus said he hadn't found anything to indicate otherwise. The judge also previously advised Staubus and Casey's lead attorney, Rick Spivey, that it appears Casey will face a possible 10-year sentence on the first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge, and 15 years on each of the aggravated rape convictions. He said he did not believe 100 percent service would be required on any of the charges, and cited the possibility that Casey could be sentenced as a first-time offender, with a minimum of 30 percent service required. He asked both sides to research those sentencing issues. Staubus declined comment on Monday, with regard to the possible sentencing outcomes for Casey. He advised the issues the judge has asked them to research included Casey's sentencing range and release eligibility, whether his crimes are probatable, and what, if any, fines should apply.
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