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April 08, 2005
Judge grants new trial to ex-priest on sex abuse charges
April 8, 2005 [Associated Press]
BALTIMORE - A defrocked Baltimore priest will get a new trial on child sexual abuse charges.
Maurice Blackwell was convicted less than two months ago of molesting a former parishioner who later shot the clergyman.
A judge has granted a new trial, agreeing with defense arguments that jurors should not have heard prosecution witnesses testify about other alleged victims of Blackwell.
Judge Stuart Berger said in his order that "the bell has been rung" by the references to other victims, and that it's difficult" to un-ring that bell.
Posted by Nancy at 11:16 PM | Comments (0)
Tougher sex offender penalties pass committee
April 8, 2005 [Associated Press]
DES MOINES, Iowa The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a bill calling for tougher penalties for sex offenders.
The bill requires D-N-A samples from all convicted sex offenders and eliminates shorter sentences for inmates who refuse treatment for sex abuse. It also requires two years of supervision of sex offenders after their release.
Supporters say they'll go even further next week. They're working on a revision that would double the penalty for committing lascivious acts with a child to ten years in prison. Also, sex abusers would be supervised for life and a second offense would bring a life prison sentence.
Senator Wally Horn, a Cedar Rapids Democrat, says it's a good start.
The call for tougher penalties comes in the wake of the slaying of ten-year-old Jetseta Gage. She was kidnapped from her Cedar Rapids home and killed last month. Roger Bentley of Brandon, a convicted sex offender, is charged in her death.
Posted by Nancy at 12:24 AM | Comments (0)