Priest's Sex-abuse Trial Delayed Pending December Hearing

Courier-Journal
May 29, 2012

http://www.courier-journal.com/article/20120529/NEWS01/305290061/Priest-s-sex-abuse-trial-delayed-pending-December-hearing?odyssey=nav|head

A Roman Catholic priest who had been scheduled for trial on sexual-abuse charges on Tuesday has been granted at least seven more months before his next court appearance.

Jefferson Circuit Court Judge Mitch Perry on Tuesday scheduled a Dec. 17 status review for the Rev. James R. Schook.

Schook, 64, was indicted in 2011 on seven felony counts of sodomy based on allegations that he sexually abused two boys between 1971 and 1975. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

Jefferson County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney John Balliet said the scheduled May trial for Schook conflicted with another he is prosecuting that has been pending longer than Schook’s case.

The Archdiocese of Louisville removed Schook permanently from ministry in 2010 when allegations were surfaced against him, although he retained the status of priest.