Maplewood Priest Faces Trial in Sex Misconduct Case, Judge Rules
By Emily Gurnon
Judge rules priest must go to trial A Ramsey County judge found probable cause Tuesday for the case against Maplewood priest Mark Andrew Huberty to proceed to trial. Huberty, 43, has been charged with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a woman in his parish, Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Senior Judge Kathleen Gearin entered a not guilty plea on his behalf. She scheduled a pretrial hearing for Feb. 20 and a trial date of March 24, though trials are frequently delayed. Prosecutors allege that while providing spiritual guidance, Huberty fondled a female parishioner repeatedly and asked her to touch him sexually. It is a felony for members of the clergy to have a sexual relationship with a person they are counseling or to whom they are providing spiritual advice. Huberty resigned from the parish in September. The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis placed him on a temporary leave of absence while the case progresses. The Rev. Benny Mekkatt is serving as interim pastor at the church. Huberty's attorney, Paul Engh, said he intends to take the case to trial. -- Emily Gurnon
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