Judge says dying Ky. priest fit to stand trial

KENTUCKY
Daily News

Posted: Thursday, November 7, 2013

Associated Press

A judge has ruled that a terminally ill Catholic priest accused of abusing two boys at a Louisville church in the 1970s is not too sick to stand trial on sodomy charges.

A state doctor called by prosecutors testified Thursday that she examined the Rev. James Schook in July and concluded that he can “rationally participate in his defense.”

Schook is suffering from skin cancer and other ailments and doctors have said the disease is terminal. He appeared in court Thursday but did not speak during the two-hour hearing.

Schook’s attorney, David Lambertus, said the priest’s health has steadily degraded since he was examined over the summer and relatives testified that Schook requires round-the-clock care.

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