Mass. Episcopal Priest Charged with Sex Abuse Dies

San Francisco Chronicle
September 27, 2012

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Mass-Episcopal-priest-charged-with-sex-abuse-dies-3897699.php

A Boston Episcopal priest charged with sexually abusing a young parishioner has been found dead of an apparent drug overdose.

His lawyer confirmed to the Boston Herald (bit.ly/QyeSlj) that the Rev. Paul LaCharite was found dead Wednesday night in a parking garage.

LaCharite pleaded not guilty this month to a charge of assault with intent to rape a child and three counts of indecent assault and battery on a child. He formerly worked at St. James Episcopal Church in Somerville. Authorities say the abuse began in the 1990s.

His lawyer, David Meier, called LaCharite's death "an unspeakable tragedy." He tells the newspaper that LaCharite was "truly an innocent man who was driven to the depths of despair by a false accusation."

The Middlesex district attorney's office declined to comment.