WORCESTER (MA)
Telegram & Gazette
By Gary V. Murray TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF
gmurray@telegram.com
WORCESTER — Judge Leilah A. Keamy, an associate justice of the Worcester Probate and Family Court, found herself on the witness stand this morning in Central District Court.
A member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral on Anna Street, Judge Keamy was called as a defense witness at the trial of the Rev. Charles Michael Abdelahad of Shrewsbury, the church’s longtime pastor, who stands accused of sexually assaulting and physically abusing a female parishioner during counseling sessions at the church.
Called to the stand by Rev. Abdelahad’s lawyer, James G. Reardon Jr., Judge Keamy recalled a conversation she had with Rev. Abdelahad’s accuser that she believed took place in 2008.
Judge Keamy said the woman, now 45 years old, approached her after a church function and told her she needed some legal advice. The judge testified that she advised the woman she was unable to give legal advice as a judge.
She said the woman proceeded to tell her that she was separated from her husband and that her husband had been physically and verbally abusive toward her for many years. The woman then asked whether a judge would be more inclined to grant her custody of her children if she had proof of the physical abuse, according to Judge Keamy.
The judge said she encouraged the woman to seek out a lawyer. She said the woman specifically told her that her husband had punched her, kicked her, pulled her around the house by her hair, given her a black eye and a fat lip and called her vile names in front of their children.
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