Ohio Priest Convicted of Killing Nun, NewsNet 5, May 11, 2006

Ohio Priest Convicted of Killing Nun

NewsNet 5
May 11, 2006

http://www.newsnet5.com/news/9197667/detail.html

TOLEDO, Ohio -- After six hours of deliberations, a jury in Lucas County Common Pleas Court found a priest guilty of killing a nun in a Toledo hospital chapel in 1980.

There were gasps in the courtroom as the verdict was read just after 11:30 a.m.

The jurors did not look at the Rev. Gerald Robinson as they left the courtroom. Robinson showed no visible reaction in the courtroom.

Judge Thomas Osowik immediately sentenced Robinson, 68, to the mandatory term of 15 years to life in prison. That means he will be eligible for parole after 15 years.

A priest was found guilty of killing nun by stabbing her through an altar cloth with the punctures forming an upside down cross.

A jury convicted the Rev. Gerald Robinson Thursday of killing Sister Margaret Ann Pahl a day before Easter in a hospital chapel, a slaying that prosecutors say was steeped with religious ritualism because of the pattern of her stab wounds.

Robinson, a Roman Catholic chaplain at the hospital, worked closely with Pahl and presided at her funeral.

He was a suspect early on but was not charged until two years ago.

Judge Thomas Osowik immediately sentenced Robinson, 68, to the mandatory term of 15 years to life in prison.

Prosecutors suggested that Robinson's relationship with the nun, a strict taskmaster, was strained and that he had reached a breaking point with her.

The verdict came after nine days of testimony during which witnesses linked a sword-shaped letter opener found in Robinson's room with the nun's wounds and blood stains found on the altar cloth that covered her body.

A courtroom deputy handcuffed Robinson behind his back and lead him away.

Robinson has been on trial for the past two weeks, accused of killing Sister Margaret Ann Pahl the day before Easter in the chapel at Mercy Hospital.

Prosecutors contend the killing was sparked by the priest's simmering anger over Pahl's domineering ways.

The nun was stabbed through an altar cloth with the punctures forming an upside down cross and annointed with a smudge of her blood on the forehead to humilate her in death, prosecutors said.

The priest has denied any wrongdoing.

In a statement, the Diocese of Toledo calls this "a sad day" and says it hopes the conclusion of the trial can bring some healing to all those affected by the case.

Assistant Lucas County Prosecutor Dean Mandros said he was surprised jurors came back with their decision after only about six hours of deliberations. But Mandros said his team always believed it was right in going after Robinson and always believed Robinson lied to police about his whereabouts when Pahl was killed.

Defense attorney John Thebes said when the jury's verdict was read, he and Robinson shared the same emotion: shock. But he said his team did everything they possibly could.

The priest's lawyers say they intend to appeal.