Rev. Donald McGuire, ex-SJ, goes to trial in another courtroom Oct. 6, this time federal, in Chicago. Among accusations in the prosecutorial filing is that he told one victim
that pornography was “like artwork, comparable to the paintings in the Sistine Chapel.”
This time he is charged with molesting
an underage boy during overseas travels in 2000. That person, now a college student, is expected to testify at a trial set to begin Oct. 6 in Chicago’s federal court.
So are four other alleged victims to testify if prosecutors have their way, each allegedly abused between 1989 and 1999. They said in their filing:
“His technique, victim after victim, was substantially the same: Isolate the boy from his family; use his role as a Catholic priest to induce the boy to talk about sex in the context of confession; progress to use of pornographic magazines and videos to heighten the sexual discussion; incorporate physical contact . . .”
McGuire was found guilty in Wisconsin for molestation that occurred in the 60s and has that case on appeal. Trial in Arizona awaits him on charges of molesting two Phoenix brothers from 1998 to 2002. He’s being held in the federal lockup in the Loop.
His lawyer, Stephen Komie, recently lost a case in Illinois’ LaSalle County in which a man was found guilty of possession of crack cocaine with intent to deliver, after a two-hour bench trial.
The client, who had prior convictions for drug dealing, battery, trespass and disorderly conduct, belonged to a family, several members of which were convicted of drug offenses in the past year in La Salle County Circuit Court.
As for McGuire, Komie said he
continues to think that the alleged victims are making false accusations to reap a financial settlement from the church.
Having talked with McGuire supporters, I find this easy to believe. In conversation, they make a lengthy, fervent case against the accusers, especially those in Arizona, where the trial has not been scheduled.
Blithe Spirit 