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	Reasonable Doubt Ample in Priest Trial Toledo Blade May 17, 2006 http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060517/OPINION03/605170322 The Blade's May 14 editorial, "The Sins of the Father," seems to champion the verdict against Rev. Gerald Robinson based upon what you feel is "plenty of circumstantial evidence" despite there being no direct evidence against him. Given the length of time that has passed, the cloudy memories of individuals, and the lack of direct evidence against this man, it would be considered by many to be a case that should have never been brought to trial, let alone a guilty verdict rendered. It is curious that the presiding judge should instruct the jury that it should give equal weight to circumstantial and direct evidence. The instruction undoubtedly gave the jury all it needed to convict the priest. One would think that circumstantial evidence would definitely be open to "reasonable doubt," which to me, was in abundance in this trial. It may very well be that Father Robinson is guilty of the crime he was charged with, but did the prosecution's case in and of itself warrant a conviction? I don't think so. Paul Wroe 109th Street Kirk offends belief in God's mercy The editorial cartoon by Kirk regarding Fr. Gerald Robinson talking with God was particularly offensive to anyone who believes in a merciful God. Besides showing words coming from the man who went through his trial saying nothing, Kirk presumed to guess God's answer. Is that the answer the Sisters of Mercy gave and that you quoted in your editorial the very same day, stating how they (the Sisters of Mercy) provide a lesson for us all in light of their "dignified reaction … and their determination to move forward, with the grace of God, to 'forgive the person who caused [Sister Margaret Ann's] death' "? No one wins in this tragedy, but for the love of God, try to refrain from portraying the Almighty with our human judgments and vindictiveness. Cheryl Stevens Grantwood Drive Where's the motive in nun's murder? Here's one layman's take on the Fr. Gerald Robinson murder trial: Means, Motive, and Opportunity; if I heard that said on police dramas once, I heard it a hundred times. Did Father Robinson have the means? Yes. Did he have the opportunity? Yes. But where's the motive? A satanic, ritualistic killing was one theory offered by the prosecution. That's hard for me to accept. Rituals are done with meticulous care, and savored as long as possible by the participants. Ritualistic killings are not done on a spur-of-the-moment impulse in a semi-public location. Father Robinson could have easily used a ministerial pretext to lure Sister Pahl away to a secluded and secretive torture chamber. Occult practitioners gradually work up to more sinister and wicked activities. Animals are usually abused and tortured first. Then after the Satanist has crawled deep into his dark soul a human sacrifice may be sought. It's hard to keep that stuff a secret. Evil does not stand alone. Someone must know if Father Robinson was active in the occult. It has also been suggested the murder was simply done in a fit of rage. Does Father Robinson have a history of violence? Is he quick to fly off the handle and lose his temper? It seems to me reasonable doubt could have easily have been established. Father Robinson may indeed be guilty, and he may have sprinkled ritualistic trappings around the crime scene to throw the police off track. But the notion of Sister Pahl's murder being a premeditated satanic ritualistic killing, in the true sense, is a stretch, in my opinion. Don Gozdowski Franklin Avenue Bates has chance to obtain abuse files I live in California but followed the Gerald Robinson trial online with great interest because I am a survivor of pedophile priest sex abuse in the 1950s in a small town in Illinois. Prosecutor Julia Bates has a golden opportunity to go after the files that the church has not released. The story of the network of pedophile priests in the Catholic Church is the real Da Vinci code. All over America, Catholic archdioceses are refusing to turn over personnel files and reports of criminal activity on their priests. Toledo can lead the fight to turn over "secret" files so America can find out just how much criminal activity has taken place in the church, first and foremost the abuse of children to cater to pedophile priest desires. Go for it, Julia Bates, go for it. Kay Ebeling Los Angeles, Calif. Sister Margaret Ann finally has voice Thank you for your editorial in Sunday's Blade regarding the conviction of Gerald Robinson. Yes, it took 26 years, but Margaret Ann's pain finally has a voice. So does the pain of so many others whohave alleged they have been abused by those who, for years, have been allowed to wickedly act without restraint. The conviction of this person stands as a strong witness against cowardly practioners of hurtful things who imagine themselves to be made powerful by silencing the suffering cries of the innocent. It stands as an even stronger indictment against law enforcement agents and court officials, both charged with the responsibility of protecting, but who, by turning their backs to what is right, ensure the murders of the innocent. For Margaret Ann, Jane Doe, and other silent victims of such degraded abuse, their time has arrived. Janice Gilbert Williston, Ohio Not all accept verdict in Robinson case The Catholic community does not necessarily accept the jury's opinion that Fr. Gerald Robinson is guilty of murder. We have questions. Assistant prosecutor Dean Mandros manipulated the female jurors with his "angry male" theory. He knew how to push their buttons. Very clever. Until Father Robinson admits his crime and explains why he did it, I will not accept the verdict. Martin LaPorte South Reynolds Road Fr. Robinson should confess if guilty After Fr. Gerald Robinson was found guilty of murder, I sent a letter to Bishop Leonard Blair requesting he speak with Father Robinson. My request was simple, ask Father Robinson to come forward, if he is guilty, confess and remove the doubt from our children?s minds regarding Priests. I understand he wants to fight for his freedom, but he needs to understand the Catholic Church has been under siege now for over three decades and the truth could set us free! If he did this horrible crime, stand up and confess. He could make more of a difference to our children then we could ever know. Our children would see a retired church leader standing up for the flock and the forgiveness of sin instead of asking "Why." I am not here to condemn Father Robinson, but to ask him to consider the consequences of his actions. Remaining silent will only damage our church further. We promise to pray for his salvation and the forgiveness of sins. The bishop's position, stated in a letter to the congregation, is that Father is a retired priest with no rights to administer sacraments or celebrate Mass, even for himself. Gary R. Eber 4226 Lyman Avenue Carty should just let go of Costco issue Can't Carty just leave Costco alone? I would call that discrimination if I lived in any suburb outside Toledo and applied for a job at Costco and got turned down just because I didn't live in Toledo. Let it go! NANCY BERINGER Sylvania
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