San Diego Priest Pleads Not Guilty to Sex Battery

Mercury News
January 11, 2012

http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19719081

SAN DIEGO—A Roman Catholic priest accused of fondling a woman at his San Diego home has pleaded not guilty to sexual battery. An attorney for Jose Davila entered pleas Tuesday to three misdemeanor counts. U-T San Diego (http://bit.ly/zPfxwa) says the priest didn't attend his arraignment but about 50 supporters showed up.

The 53-year-old Davila is a priest at St. Jude's Shrine of the West in San Diego. He surrendered to police on New Year's Day and was released on bail. His trial is set for March.

Prosecutors contend that Davila inappropriately touched a 19-year-old acquaintance who visited his home on Dec. 30.