Free Republic

He dies before court date in St. Pat's sexcapade By HELEN PETERSON DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER Wednesday, October 1st, 2003 A man who was expected to plead guilty yesterday to having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral will have to answer to a higher authority. Brian Florence, 38, died of a heart attack Thursday in Alexandria, Va., his lawyer announced yesterday in court - surprising the judge and prosecutors. The news forced Manhattan Criminal Court Judge Barbara Jaffe to adjourn the case against Florence and girlfriend Loretta Harper, 36. The two were arrested inside the cathedral after being caught in the...

<p>NEW YORK — A Virginia couple was arrested in New York City Thursday for public lewdness after allegedly having sex in St. Patrick's Cathedral as part of a radio stunt that outraged parishioners and church officials.</p> <p>Also arrested was comedian Paul Mercurio, 40, who provided a running on-air commentary of the sex act, which took place just five feet away from worshippers praying on the Feast of the Assumption, a holy day of obligation for Catholics.</p>