Attorneys Seek New Trial for Priest Convicted of Abuse

WMUR
February 22, 2012

www.wmur.com/news/30518957/detail.html

[with video]

Statements Filed From Those Who Knew MacRae Accuser

KEENE, N.H. -- Lawyers for a former Keene priest convicted of sexually abusing three boys are questioning his main accuser's story and fighting to get him a new trial.

The Rev. Gordon MacRae was convicted in 1994 of sexually abusing boys in the 1980s. He has always maintained his innocence, and his attorneys said new statements from some who knew the main accuser cast doubt on the charges.

"We have information from these people that the church was seen at the time as almost as a cash machine," said attorney Robert Rosenthal. "You make an accusation and you can get a nice settlement, and the accuser here, as well as his relatives, did just that."

In the motion for a new trial filed by Rosenthal and attorney Carol Green, they said the accuser "had a reputation -- at least among the community of family and friends -- as a schemer and liar."

The brief includes numerous signed statements from those who knew the accuser. One from his ex-wife said, "He molded stories to fit his needs and lied to get what he wanted."

Another from his stepson said the accuser told him "he was going to set MacRae and the church up to gain money." The stepson also said the accuser told him "he had never been molested by MacRae."

The brief also said the accuser "celebrated his payday with them, showing off his diocese cash and taking pictures with it."

Rosenthal said that at the time of the 1994 trial, the people mentioned in the brief were still close to the accuser, but over time, the group has fallen apart and they are now coming forward.

"These witnesses are credible," Rosenthal said. "They have no reason, no possible reason or inclination to be lying or making this up."

It could be several months before a decision is made about a new trial, but MacRae's attorneys said they are very optimistic.