Someone is going to be dealing with Prison Sex Wednesday December 1, 2004 11:16 PM
By DENISE LAVOIE
Associated Press Writer
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) - A Roman Catholic priest was sentenced Wednesday to 4 to 5 years in prison for repeatedly raping an altar boy in the 1980s.
The Rev. Robert Gale pleaded guilty Tuesday to four counts of raping a child just as jury selection was set to begin for his trial.
Prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 10 to 12 years, but the judge settled on the shorter prison term, to be followed by 25 years of probation.
The sexual assaults took place at St. Jude's parish in Waltham between 1980 and 1985 when the victim, now 34, was between 10 and 15 years old. Prosecutors said the boy was sexually abused by Gale about twice a month.
``The scars of the abuse will continue to haunt me,'' the victim said in court. ``My life has been permanently scarred.''
Looking directly at Gale as his three grown sons wiped away tears, the victim's father added: ``We put them in your care, we believed in you. You let us down.''
Gale apologized and asked for forgiveness: ``Saying sorry is very easy, but I am truly sorry.''
Before he was sentenced, Gale told the judge he turned his life around after he was sent to a psychiatric hospital in 1987.
His attorney, Robert Lewin, said Gale had years of psychotherapy, quit drinking, attended college classes and worked as a substance abuse counselor. Since his indictment, Gale has been working as personnel director for a machine company, Lewin said.
Gale's attorney had tried to get the charges dismissed, arguing that by the time the charges were filed in August 2002, the 15-year statute of limitations for rape had expired.
But prosecutors said Gale had moved to New Hampshire, stopping the clock on the statute of limitations. Gale claimed he was just visiting his sister in New Hampshire and was actually living in Boston.
A judge refused to dismiss the case, clearing the way for a trial.
Gale, now 63, was one of dozens of priests accused of molestation in thousands of pages of church documents made public last year. Gale, who is still a priest, has been on administrative leave.
Can you imagine what they are going to do to him?????????
Last edited by HumbeOpinion : 02-Dec-2004 03:06 AM.
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