tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post8370791863462493308..comments2023-10-22T09:32:13.417-04:00Comments on Big Trial | Philadelphia Trial Blog: Prosecutor Tries Vainly To Plug All The Holes In His CaseAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04116104602505815614noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-89300471500475344492013-01-29T16:45:55.731-05:002013-01-29T16:45:55.731-05:00Silly trial? Now that's scary that anyone wou...Silly trial? Now that's scary that anyone would call it silly regardless of the outcome. A man tried to kill himself because of it. Avery blew his early release trying to influence it. The Archdiocese has suspended, what, 21? priests for raping children. I'm absolutely frightened by your calling these matters silly. Josie, do you believe your views reflect the views of Catholics you're acquainted with? SarahTX2https://www.blogger.com/profile/13127925134697324637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-78649908946016806832013-01-28T13:50:09.631-05:002013-01-28T13:50:09.631-05:00Dennis, I have also followed your comments and I a...Dennis, I have also followed your comments and I am sorry for the abuse that you suffered. I went all through Catholic school surrounded by abusive priests and escaped unscathed. My classmate however was not as fortunate and his teen years are a mirror of Billy's. He held it together in grade school when the abuse occurred and then his life went off a cliff in his teen years The priest that abused him is now removed, as are all the other abusive priests that were assigned to my schools. The priest was not removed for the abuse of my classmate, but for the abuse of prior victims that the Archdiocese already knew of when they sent him to our parish. The abuse of my friend could have been avoided if people had done the right thing and stepped up to protect children. He has no lawsuit or criminal court case, just the knowledge that he was a victim of a known predator. Known to them, not to us. fan of kopridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08787894680957985931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-48950422483251462072013-01-28T12:38:16.421-05:002013-01-28T12:38:16.421-05:00Thank you "fan of kopride" I could have ...Thank you "fan of kopride" I could have not said it better myself. With respect to Josie and others like her I can understand the denial that she maybe going through to admit that individuals she was raised to believe who could do no wrong could be guilty of such a crime. It would be a shock to admit what she was taught by her parents about all clergy being "Christ Like" is indeed a false statement. That priests, nuns, bishops and even the pope are nothing more than ordinary men who God gave free will to decide how to live their life. It is ashame that all priests are being projected in a negative light and are at the brunt of jokes because of a few. But it is Josie and others like her who can be blamed for this with the continual denial. I do not know if "Billy" is telling the truth or not, and I don't know if the two individuals charged are guilty or innocent but I do know if the continued denial that there are bad apples even in the catholic church, the abuse will continue and we will never see an end.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-76253197639928861582013-01-28T09:55:15.975-05:002013-01-28T09:55:15.975-05:00Josie, Set aside the Engelhardt and Shero case fo...Josie, Set aside the Engelhardt and Shero case for a minute. You seem to have followed both trials closely . Did any of the testimony ever register on any level with you? That something drastically went wrong in the Archdiocese? The testimony about Gana, Cudemo, Sicoli and so many others. The lists on the Archdiocese website of all the restricted and laicized priests . The testimony of grown men who came back to testify at the trial last Spring. All the cases that will never be prosecuted. What would the motive be for so many people to take the stand and tell their stories of abuse? None of this has to do with the present case, it is just that I have followed your comments and have yet to see you express compassion or even an understanding of the long line of victims that have suffered. Even your comment about James who testified about Avery..well Avery was an alcoholic..who knows what happened. "There was heavy drinking involved"..well that drinking was a priest giving alcohol to a 13 year old. Do you assign any responsibility to any priests in these situations? As "sordid" as some of these lives of victims may be, what about the actions of so, so, many of the priests in the Archdiocese? Did the Archdiocese get it wrong by removing so many of them? Is the Archdiocese anti Catholic? Did any of this touch your heart, give you pause for even a minute that many children suffered?<br /> I am a "fan" of kopride because he hits the mark each time with his comments. He gets all of it..the climate in which the abuse thrived, the mentality of so many area Catholics that fed the fire of the abuse. Josie no matter what you feel about the guilt/innocence of Lynn,Avery etc.. do you realize that children suffered greatly and many victims continue to suffer as adults? Maybe you made a comment at some point that expressed compassion or acknowledged the depravity that has taken place over the years. Maybe I missed it.fan of kopridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08787894680957985931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-2619497445456841142013-01-28T00:35:03.731-05:002013-01-28T00:35:03.731-05:00Totally agree that bigtrial.net holds your attenti...Totally agree that bigtrial.net holds your attention during this silly trial. The Inquirer has gotten to be such a worthless source of news and opinion over the years, it is frustrating for those in the city.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12314012467023147844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-87573642782630483362013-01-27T19:39:52.300-05:002013-01-27T19:39:52.300-05:00Really? I served early weekday masses routinely as...Really? I served early weekday masses routinely as a 5th grader and had an Inquirer route during most of that period. My parents never dropped me off or picked me up from mass. I walked to the church the same way I walked to school. We all did. Helicopter parenting started in recent history. We all walked to school in First grade, I walked with my big brother who was in Third. This kid is younger than me by many years, and parental culture has changed more recently, but school age kids used to walk all the time to and from school, the store, and the playground without a parent in sight.kopridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14033734864815154844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-38452811883631469272013-01-27T18:44:15.762-05:002013-01-27T18:44:15.762-05:00I wonder if the jury will deliver it's verdict...I wonder if the jury will deliver it's verdict tomorrow...This has certainly been interesting, and so very different from the 3 month trial that ended in June. <br /><br />I had no intention of following this trial, but Ralph's blog sucked me in. He is a great reporter and a gifted writer. If I were just reading the Inquirer and the AP articles, well, I would have abandoned any interest in this trial from Day One.<br /><br />Keep up the great work, Ralph!<br /> <br /><br />Archie Francishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13118480141793016031noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-8056530307373634072013-01-27T17:32:47.404-05:002013-01-27T17:32:47.404-05:00Ken W.
I agree.
Couple that with a prosecutorial...Ken W.<br /><br />I agree.<br /><br />Couple that with a prosecutorial system anxious to convict church officials at any costs and you have the formula for an enervating and expensive disaster.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-37841676728259640432013-01-27T17:24:09.945-05:002013-01-27T17:24:09.945-05:00I think Billy has made many unfortunate bad decisi...I think Billy has made many unfortunate bad decisions in his life and the consequences of those decisions has led to him largely making this up. St. Seraphimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565781328123135017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-87550171448891276862013-01-27T11:33:32.433-05:002013-01-27T11:33:32.433-05:00Hi Ken W,
If I remember from my 'altar boy da...Hi Ken W,<br /><br />If I remember from my 'altar boy days' in the '50s (NO, I was NEVER molested), two cruets are used at Mass. One contains water to wash the priest's hands. The other cruet contains the sacramental wine which becomes Our Lord's Precious Blood.<br /><br />After Communion, the priest washes out (purifies) his chalice by pouring and drinking both water and some of the unconsecrated wine, the remainder of which (if any) may remain in the cruet afterwards. <br /><br />As altar boys, we poured the excess wine back into the bottle.<br /><br />This explanation in no way means that I believe 'Billy' s utterly absurd claim that he was molested by these 3 men.<br /><br />I don't believe this alleged 'victim', and I wonder if even the prosecution does at this point.<br /><br />What do you think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-31340344146452041242013-01-27T10:46:51.083-05:002013-01-27T10:46:51.083-05:00One thing I do not understand. It is required of t...One thing I do not understand. It is required of the priest to consume any leftover consecrated wine before the mass has ended. This is basic. So...how can "Billy" be disposing of wine that is "leftover"? St. Seraphimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12565781328123135017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-84200540044352159542013-01-27T00:27:36.295-05:002013-01-27T00:27:36.295-05:00On Saturday a highly respected individual for the ...On Saturday a highly respected individual for the catholic church in upstate Pennsylvania took his own life after allegations of abusing more than 11 children. Now was this man ALSO an innocent "man who has been falsely accused and feels hopeless to fight" the allegations against him ?<br /><br />No. This was only a simple man who could no longer live with the guilt of destroying the mental and physical lives of children and felt this was his only way out by committing a mortal sin were his soul will burn in hell.<br /><br />I feel sorry for any family members he left behind, but I am more proud of those who came forward breaking their silence and said enough is enough.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-58311385652944208392013-01-27T00:23:24.576-05:002013-01-27T00:23:24.576-05:00I hear you, and as a mother myself, I would be on ...I hear you, and as a mother myself, I would be on it. Nor would I let my child walk to or from a school or church alone at anytime, let alone the early morning hours. But, for whatever reason, there is a strong possibility that this mother was not able to be there for her son. Whether that was physically to pick him up from church or mentally to pick up on cues that something was wrong. He started using drugs at the age of 11, and she did nothing to get him help then! So whatever happened to him, she was not there for him. Momma Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01356032565586798733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-41842539909924753402013-01-26T23:54:41.849-05:002013-01-26T23:54:41.849-05:00This whole case is an absolute disgrace- yes we ar...This whole case is an absolute disgrace- yes we are talking about a 10 year old boy, but look at the accusations. This boy was apparently serving a 6:30 am mass. 6:30 am and 8:00 am masses only last 30 minutes, all people know that. So your telling me that this mother, who knows her son best, dropped her son off at 630, we'll say 620 and wasn't there to pick him up at 7. Who in their right mind would let their child walk home at 7 in the morning? And as a matter of fact, if your child is serving that mass, more than likely, you are attending. Also what mother isn't alarmed when your child doesn't get home at, we'll say at 315 on the dot, like they do everyday. I am no nurse or police officer, but I can read my children. So you're telling me this mother could not tell that "something" was bothering her son. What mother does not know their children and the way they act when "something" is bothering them. These parents are just looking for an excuse to explain that their son turned into a drug addict. Frankenlil19https://www.blogger.com/profile/00586597830046218339noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-12631961319675382652013-01-26T16:27:21.252-05:002013-01-26T16:27:21.252-05:00Momma O; Very well stated !Momma O; Very well stated !Arthur Baselicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05341774796623126766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-51535068696920082822013-01-26T16:07:37.093-05:002013-01-26T16:07:37.093-05:00Actually, no. If these defendants were the typical...Actually, no. If these defendants were the typical indigent rape defendants with overworked PDs, then it likely would have been a conviction. Both these men had fine private criminal defense lawyers, and they had the time and resources to investigate and point out the credibility issues in the case. The case would not have been laughed out of any court. The typical rape case is one dirtbag accuser accusing another dirtbag accused. Dirtbags get raped and abused, probably with greater frequency than non-dirtbags. Spend some time watching criminal trials. Read Ralph's account of his jury experience. He raped me, he robbed me, without any other evidence is usually enough to indict and prosecute. kopridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14033734864815154844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-39258463536879527752013-01-26T15:58:40.472-05:002013-01-26T15:58:40.472-05:00If anything, the Beasley Firm , a very prominent p...If anything, the Beasley Firm , a very prominent personal injury plaintiff's firm, has an incentive to pressure Ralph to say bad things about the church. Ralph seems to be just calling balls and strikes here, and he seems to be using a fair strike zone. Let's not attack the messenger because this case fell apart for the prosecution. The system usually works. An acquittal means that the case against these two men couldn't be proven. It doesn't erase the ample evidence of AOP cover up from the last trial, which was exhaustively covered by Ralph. The decision to sever this very weak case from Lynne/Avery/Brennan was very wise. kopridehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14033734864815154844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-91645404366766154412013-01-26T14:28:20.042-05:002013-01-26T14:28:20.042-05:00I would like to quote something you said " Ou...I would like to quote something you said " Our system is what it is and one can hope that justice is given the accused." I only hope you and others feel the same way that justice was served if the men are found guilty.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-64332366334204610012013-01-26T12:09:00.632-05:002013-01-26T12:09:00.632-05:00Dennis, I believe that Fr. Avery, now stripped of ...Dennis, I believe that Fr. Avery, now stripped of clerical status did not commit the crime that he pled guilty to and recanted. It is not at all unusual to cop a plea these days for the reasons he stated. He said earlier that he did not even know "Billy". I heard "James" testify at the trial that resulted in a conviction of endangerment for Msgr. Lynn-most unfortunate for all concerned. I am reserving judgement on James' story as there was heavy drinking involved and Fr. Avery does not remember. He is an alcoholic.It appears that James' cared for Fr. Avery when he was younger. The families were friends. I have also heard "Billy" as well and read extensively. I try to be fair-minded. It is multi-versioned tale that "Billy" has told.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12314012467023147844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-62817614413027765002013-01-26T11:55:22.849-05:002013-01-26T11:55:22.849-05:00They don't but I've written plenty about t...They don't but I've written plenty about the finances of the Catholic church. Enough to get fired from the Philadelphia Inquirer. And who defended me, but The Beasley Firm.bigtrial.nethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12188557653424544411noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-7262432968619398162013-01-26T11:49:23.728-05:002013-01-26T11:49:23.728-05:00Think back to when you were 10. How much of your ...Think back to when you were 10. How much of your life do you remember? How many details can you pull up? Then take those memories and cloud them with years of drug abuse. Personally I believe Billy. I don't know exactly what happened to him, but it was not good. I do NOT think that this case is solid nor do I think that a jury can find these defendants guilty. <br /><br />As far as Avery, he is NO angel! Let's not forget that the Church itself has sent him for multiple treatments for alcohol abuse, and for "inappropriate" contact with children. The ARCHDIOCESE decreed Rev. Avery to be in violation of the policy against the sexual abuse of minors. They found accusations against Avery credible. But these were outside the statute of limitations. So I can not believe anything that Avery says, even more so than Billy.<br /><br />The whole thing stinks. The prosecution really did not do enough due diligence. The defense has a solid case because of reasonable doubt. But that does not mean that these men are completely innocent. Then again, I have a more difficult time believing men in power than I do of those down and out. Just my opinion. But I will continue to believe the victims. <br /><br />Momma Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01356032565586798733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-46083267425970264662013-01-26T11:44:22.224-05:002013-01-26T11:44:22.224-05:00That question was asked by someone other than you ...That question was asked by someone other than you that cannot deal with other opinions than their own, but obviously you paid no attention to the answer-too busy typing (using just a simple word here},and not reading. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12314012467023147844noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-85666532673120467872013-01-26T11:26:09.695-05:002013-01-26T11:26:09.695-05:00What an absolute farce! Hopefully these innocent m...What an absolute farce! Hopefully these innocent men will be acquitted in short order next week, and we will stop wasting taxpayers' money on this type of nonsense from now on. <br />It is a disgrace that innocent priests are having their reputations ruined and their lives destroyed by liars and fraudsters who would be laughed out of a court dealing with any other type of alleged charge besides clerical abuse. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-17582573986431156672013-01-26T11:13:44.422-05:002013-01-26T11:13:44.422-05:00I am referring to D Ecker's comments at the to...I am referring to D Ecker's comments at the topAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8876661997317409023.post-58648576549107879072013-01-26T11:11:40.877-05:002013-01-26T11:11:40.877-05:00Your comments are clouded by emotion, not informed...Your comments are clouded by emotion, not informed by reason. Or fact. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com