tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post2558645494393088913..comments2023-10-22T09:32:13.417-04:00Comments on Big Trial | Philadelphia Trial Blog: Two Defendants Elect Not to Testify in Archdiocese Sex Abuse CaseAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116104602505815614noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-61178019568149924152013-01-30T05:59:04.737-05:002013-01-30T05:59:04.737-05:00It was read once in the courtroom by the defendant...It was read once in the courtroom by the defendant's lawyer. Shero did not state whether he was innocent or guilty.bigtrial.nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12188557653424544411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-76534681595560438802013-01-26T10:46:44.369-05:002013-01-26T10:46:44.369-05:00Sarah, that's just not true. Sometimes people ...Sarah, that's just not true. Sometimes people do commit suicide because they are innocent. I'm not saying Shero is innocent. But suicide sometimes is just away out of pain.jim robertsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11021237370520134041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-26192146648510203692013-01-25T22:07:36.099-05:002013-01-25T22:07:36.099-05:00Hi Josie,
I see that Billy whipped up some real t...Hi Josie,<br /><br />I see that Billy whipped up some real tears today Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-63632710513470433662013-01-25T18:31:22.112-05:002013-01-25T18:31:22.112-05:00You must have missed ALL the versions of Billy'...You must have missed ALL the versions of Billy's detailed stories. He is 24..he could have said he is foggy but he didn't. What are you missing about what is wrong with Billy? And SarahTX, you don't seem to care about justice. Maybe like Hilary, you say "what difference does it (the truth) make!!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12314012467023147844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-14761445104566200812013-01-25T16:07:04.796-05:002013-01-25T16:07:04.796-05:00Yes, I thought that was almost comical. Why on ea...Yes, I thought that was almost comical. Why on earth would she lie despite the fact that she works for the Archdiocese and has her own office to defend. I hope this is a jury of thinking men and women. They may well acquit because they have a reasonable doubt, but it won't be because of defense ploys like this. SarahTX2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13127925134697324637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-45803630693181493562013-01-25T15:49:03.462-05:002013-01-25T15:49:03.462-05:00I wondered the same thing throughout this trial. ...I wondered the same thing throughout this trial. How can a 10 year old record the details of what's happening, where, when and how when he's being sexually assaulted by what to him are monsters? From the first assault onward, the 10 year old would be in a maze and a fog. And having gone to Catholic schools, I can tell you that it's possible to be in a fog from sexual abuse and still get high grades. In some sense, the high grades are a form of protection and the only form of protection that a 10 year old can garner. He cannot tell his parents for the same reasons that almost none of these victims told their parents. You do not discuss sex in Catholic households. And you do not accuse priests. Almost all of the tens of thousands of children assaulted by priests followed both of those rules and kept their turmoil to themselves. Why wouldn't the prosecution put on an expert witness to describe the mind of a child being sexually assaulted?SarahTX2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13127925134697324637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-91828037005563481652013-01-25T15:29:23.758-05:002013-01-25T15:29:23.758-05:00Does anyone have the text of the suicide note? I ...Does anyone have the text of the suicide note? I can't find it anywhere. Does anyone know if he claimed he was innocent in it?SarahTX2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13127925134697324637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-67121494417846171992013-01-25T15:22:44.837-05:002013-01-25T15:22:44.837-05:00So you're defending suicide as a way out from ...So you're defending suicide as a way out from an ignoble accusation? Dave, do Catholics believe that if they kill themselves, they're going straight to hell? Doesn't it mean that Shero would rather go straight to hell than defend himself? I still can't figure out what the Catholic thinking on suicide is. A number of priests have killed themselves or attempted to, and you have to ask did they not believe in God at the end or did they never believe in God? In any event, people don't kill themselves for crimes they didn't commit.SarahTX2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13127925134697324637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-43702846415034062132013-01-25T11:23:54.939-05:002013-01-25T11:23:54.939-05:00We all must understand that the defendants maybe f...We all must understand that the defendants maybe found innocent with regards to the charges against them. This is our judicial system and since we do not have any other system in place we must respect what we have. Now, with that said and I being a victim of clergy abuse can say that, It also must be understood by everyone that the same system that could find the defendants innocent could find them guilty. However, if that happens will we once again hear from the bleeding hearts stating the defendants did not receive a fair trial, That the DA, Judge and everyone else down the line are anti-catholic as they did with the outcome of the Lynn trial. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-92087498607707665842013-01-25T09:09:24.719-05:002013-01-25T09:09:24.719-05:00It is interesting that the defense is using an imp...It is interesting that the defense is using an impaired vision defense for sherro who has a Valid Pa drivers license ? Has sherro had any auto accidents and how long has he been driving ? The defense attorney's attack on the Victim playing the system is laughable, if anyone plays the system it is the Defense Attorney's. There are several issues that need to be addressed not the least of which is hagner and her testimony, she is the first line of defense for the church and unless that meeting in the car was video taped I would have severe questions about her testimony. The question about the doors to the sacristy usually being opened leaves other questions, unless that lady was there 24 x 7 there is always a possibility the doors were shut and not even noticed. The easiest way out for a person who commits a crime is ? I hope the jury picked up on these among other facts.Arthur Baselicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05341774796623126766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-68624860921474834982013-01-25T08:17:02.216-05:002013-01-25T08:17:02.216-05:00The case against the defendants is weak.
I thin...The case against the defendants is weak. <br /><br />I think these men will walk. <br /><br />I also believe they are guilty. <br /><br />I believe Billy. Where were the expert witnesses to explain that victims share these secrets in very unusual ways? Where were the expert witnesses to explain the long term effects of sexual abuse, the coping skills, the addictions, the erratic behavior? I hope they are able to connect the dots better than what they have done so far for the jury. <br /><br />survivor's wifehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14362521164577055443noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-35006899342253423892013-01-24T22:24:30.416-05:002013-01-24T22:24:30.416-05:00Think about it, Shero's life/reputation has be...Think about it, Shero's life/reputation has been destroyed no matter the outcome, same for Engelhardt. The media has made these men sound like monsters, based on Billy's accusations . If acquitted, how hard is it going to be for these men to gain respect in the community again. They have not been able to speak because of the gag order set in place in 2011. Why would they want to speak today? As for Lyman, he not only sounded, he also appeared that he may have met billy in one of his 20 some rehabs. <br />Frankenlil19https://www.blogger.com/profile/00586597830046218339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-50906681195747217352013-01-24T21:55:33.942-05:002013-01-24T21:55:33.942-05:00Rose asked the jury about Louise Hagner a victim a...Rose asked the jury about Louise Hagner a victim assistance coordinator " why would she lie ?" I have first hand experience regarding these people. They want to give the impression they are in place to help the victim. The truth is they are there to gain information for the lawyers. The false hopes and lies they gave me, my family, and most likely other victims should be a crime. I am not saying this is fact but money, property or promises from the archdiocese could be a possible answer for Mr. Rose's question. <br /><br />As Sarah above, I too believe the suicide note will be a big piece of evidence the jury will go over noting the failure of Shero proclaiming his innocense in this case. In addition, the failure of Engelhardt and Shero refusing to take the stand in their own defense, the jury will be asking themselves "why".<br /><br />Finally, the statement made by Engelhardts own cousin may hurt the most.<br /><br />Now the belief that Mr. Rose and others have that "Billy" is in this for the payoff must remember something. The payoff is already there with the guilty plea from Avery, and the guilty verdict of Lynn. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-48564544399378384832013-01-24T20:27:58.513-05:002013-01-24T20:27:58.513-05:00Just because someone is suicidal does not mean he ...Just because someone is suicidal does not mean he is guilty of a crime. Witness:<br /><br />http://www.christianpost.com/news/on-the-verge-of-suicide-innocent-man-convicted-of-murder-finds-hope-54849/<br /><br />-TheMediaReport.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07605908176445177281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-53377756348475423552013-01-24T19:28:35.731-05:002013-01-24T19:28:35.731-05:00I think the suicide note looms large for Shero. M...I think the suicide note looms large for Shero. Maybe not enough for a conviction, but the jury has to find some way to explain it away without seeing Shero defend it on the witness stand. The suicide attempt doesn't make sense if he's innocent. Neither does Avery's story make sense. If he lied and said he was guilty in order to get a lighter sentence, why would he now tell the truth which will virtually insure he serves the whole sentence? <br /><br />Maybe these are just terribly weak men who can't muster up the strength to defend themselves at the appropriate time. They both present pathetic figures which sometimes do sway a jury. The accuser is also pathetic but that makes sense because he's the alleged victim. <br /><br />In any event, the prosecutor should point out in closing tomorrow that the suicide note is Shero's only testimony, and that the guilty plea of Avery still stands. Beyond that, it is about the credibility of Billy and his memories of what did or didn't happen when he was 10 and 11 years old. It's altogether a sad case for each member of the jury to have to contemplate. I wish them well.SarahTX2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13127925134697324637noreply@blogger.com