New Orleans priest accused of molesting children will not go to trial today after judge recuses himself

WDSU Channel 6 ^ | Sept. 24, 2024 | Aubry Killion

[ConservativeMind]

A trial for a former New Orleans priest accused of molesting children will not move forward Tuesday after the judge in the case recused himself.

Judge Ben Willard announced in court that the trial against Lawrence Hecker would not move forward and recused himself.

Willard cited disrespect from the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office as his reason for recusal.

The Clerk of Court moved the case to Section G of the court to oversee the remainder of the proceedings.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams voiced his frustration with the delay and decision by Judge Willard, but said his feelings pale in comparison with Hecker's accusers.

Williams said many of Hecker's accusers had to relive their trauma this week in preparation of the trial.

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Hecker was not in court for the proceeding. He is currently in the hospital with a urinary tract infection.

This comes after months of delays in the trial following multiple mental competency evaluations.

A doctor confirmed that Hecker does have Alzheimer's and dementia, but a ruling was never made on whether or not he was fully competent to stand trial.

Williams' office issued the following statement regarding the recusal:

"The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office is deeply dismayed by today’s developments in Criminal District Court, Section C, which have resulted in yet another unjustifiable delay in the long-overdue trial of disgraced Catholic priest Lawrence Hecker. Despite numerous defense-driven delays and exhaustive court hearings assessing the defendant's fitness to stand trial, today's proceedings were abruptly halted when Hecker was unexpectedly absent from the courtroom.

[ConservativeMind]

Strange story. More at the link.

[kiryandil]

The desire to see this through seems to be "ebbing"...   

[Just mythoughts]

Well, after all, everybody is doing ‘it’... No need to hold the ‘holy father’ class accountable... I cannot wait for the reaction from the holy crew to follow . this post ... .. snicker ... The Heavenly Father sees all and HE will hold ‘court’!!!

[jerod]

An honest judge.... How often does that happen?

[frank ballenger]

confirmed that Hecker does have Alzheimer's and dementia, but a ruling was never made on whether or not he was fully competent to stand trial.

But was ruled competent to be the President of the United States if necessary.

[frank ballenger]

I heard a surprising story today on the call-in religious question show Called to Communion with Dr. David Anders. Not a Catholic but listen to all sides anyway.

He said Catholic priests have often stated they have trouble staying fresh and concentrating as they say the same repetitive prayers every day. They want to be sincere and feel a yearning to do God’s work rather than slip into mindlessly saying things they say hundreds of times over the years.

He said a higher ranking authority issued a statement telling priests to turn off their phones inside the confessional, even if the confessor is saying the same sins they just heard again and again from others.

To me that was shocking.

[ebb tide]

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Abuse in the Protestant Church

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Protestant abuse history has been swept under the carpet

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[metmom]

You’re the biggest Catholic critic on FR.

Slow night for anti-pope threads eh?

[ebb tide]

Correction:

Biggest Catholic critic of hypocritical Protestant perverts.

Check the links, metmom.

[fidelis]

Ah, more Friday night tit-for-tat "Oh, yeah? So you're bigger one!" inter-religious bickering on FR.

I imagine Christ must be very pleased. Not.

[Jyotishi]

Abuse Tracker

Daily guide to media coverage of clergy abuse worldwide . . . more than 100,000 articles blogged since 2006:

https://www.bishop-accountability.org/

[maddog55]

Pedophiles stick together.