It took less than three hours for the jury in the Gary Mercure trial to hand up its decision after a four day trial that included graphic and disturbing testimony from several men who say Mercure abused them when they were young.
Mercure will be sentenced next Wednesday. Each of the four counts carries the potential of life in prison.
It is quite a relief that finally there is beginning to be some justice, although it is coming so late. My heart goes out to all the innocent children who have been treated so horrendously.
ReplyDeleteClearly there is a huge priest abuse problem and that it's not something to be taken lightly. But...
ReplyDeleteThe problem with very old cases is that there is no evidence other than the accuser's say-so. I can easily go to the law and say that so-and-so sexually abused me in this, that and the other place, and when the supposed abuser is imprisoned I can sue and seize his assets.
Also, in particular if you are a priest and accused of child abuse, who is going to believe your protestations of innocence?
This is why a statue of limitations exists, or is supposed to exist.