Judge: Ex-Priest Interview Can Be Used at Trial

NECN
May 2, 2013

http://www.necn.com/05/02/13/Judge-ex-priest-interview-can-be-used-at/landing_nation.html?&apID=391220eb01c0455299f397488d702d82

LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) — State District Judge David Ritchie says prosecutors can use the recorded interview of authorities' initial questioning of former priest Mark Broussard.

Broussard is accused of molesting young male parishioners in the late 1980s and early '90s.

His attorney, Tom Lorenzi, asked the court to throw out the interview because he said Broussard told detectives he needed a lawyer 10 minutes and 30 seconds into the recorded portion of the interview.

Ritchie ruled that it was not an unequivocal request.

The video was played in court last week, but the courtroom audio was poor.

Ritchie said that since then he had reviewed the video, re-watching the pertinent section several times. He repeated what Broussard said.

After reading a written accusation that Calcasieu Parish sheriff 's Detective Liz Zaunbrecher provided him, Broussard said to detectives, "I really, I really would like, I think I want a lawyer. This is not right."

Ritchie said Broussard then continued without prompting: "Well, I don't, I think I mentioned to you over the phone that I don't want court cases to hurt families."

Lorenzi also asked Ritchie to reduce Broussard's bond. Since his March 2012 arrest, the former priest has been kept in the Calcasieu Correctional Center. His bond is $3.42 million.

Lorenzi told Ritchie that Broussard's family could come up with a $200,000 cash bond.

Broussard's sister, Susan Bellon, took the stand, telling the judge that the family would be responsible for his returning to court.

Ritchie said he was going to wait to rule on the matter, but that he would not reduce the bond all the way to $200,000

Broussard was originally charged with 224 counts of child molestation, but the prosecution is taking him to trial on five counts.

The American Press reports ( ) Broussard's trial is set for Sept. 16.