NEW ORLEANS (LA)
WDSU [New Orleans]
June 13, 2024
By Aubrey Killion
A former New Orleans priest accused of rape and kidnapping a child in the 1970s will not have the results of his second mental evaluation for at least another month.
Lawrence Hecker’s attorneys were in court Thursday, where the doctor who did his evaluation last month said that it would take him weeks before he could review and release the results.
Hecker was in the courthouse but did not enter the courtroom. He was with a nurse in the hall who told his attorneys that his condition was deteriorating.
The results could decide if Hecker is competent to stand trial.
According to the doctor, there are more than 7,000 pages of medical records that he needs to review before making a decision on Hecker’s evaluation.
Hecker’s trial was supposed to start in March, but he had to undergo a mental evaluation before the trial could begin.
The doctor who completed the evaluation was expected to testify last month on the results of Hecker’s competency, a month after the evaluation was completed.
However, a second evaluation was requested and conducted behind closed doors in the courthouse.
The doctor is expected to have the records reviewed by July 11.
Hecker’s attorney issued the following statement regarding the delay:
“As you’re aware, we just received over 7,000 pages of medicals yesterday on Lawrence Hecker. So, I don’t really have a lot to add other than the doctors will review the medicals and, possibly, reevaluate him on the 11th of July.
“But, as you heard the nurses in the hallway, he is not doing well and the trip to court is difficult for him and for the medical personnel who accompany him. In the end, we’ll wait the latest Judgment of the doctors appointed by the Court on how to proceed,” said Eugene Redmann.
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams spoke to WDSU outside of court back in May following the second evaluation.
Williams believes Hecker’s memory is appropriate for his age and he is competent to stand trial.
Williams said despite the results of the second evaluation, he hopes the judge will consider Hecker’s interviews with the media, as well as his hours-long deposition, in his decision on whether or not Hecker can go forward with the trial.
“Growing old is hard; we aren’t as good as we were in our twenties, that is clear,” Williams said. “That does not absolve you from accountability.”
Williams says he understands the frustrations surrounding the delays in the case, and is also frustrated.
“Why is this taking so long? He seemed extremely aware of his surroundings and his legal exposure for hurting a child many years ago,” said Williams. “The interview that occurred in judge’s chambers today and was a lot shorter than your interview, Aubry. So if he can withstand that, he can answer a few of Bobby Hjortsberg’s questions.”
Hecker is currently in a continued care facility. Records previously described Hecker as “confused” and reported that he is “in restraints for his own protection” after pulling out his IVs. His attorneys have said he was “barely conscious” and questioned if he would be healthy enough for trial in March.
WDSU obtained records in the case. Prosecutors said Hecker is a serial child abuser, rapist, and a diagnosed pedophile who continues to possess child pornography.
According to prosecutors in this case, Hecker choked the victim until he was unconscious and then raped him.
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Hecker was seen in a wheelchair when he was last in court last month. The prosecutors in the case said if they needed to bring Hecker in on a gurney, they would. Prosecutors said he appeared to be fine and resting comfortably.
The judge said the plan is to proceed and go to trial.
WDSU investigative reporter Aubry Killion spoke with Hecker last June. When asked about the abuse allegations, Hecker said, “There is good and bad in everybody.”