http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/13370522.htm
Posted on Fri, Dec. 09, 2005
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Philly priest sentenced to 12 years of probation in sex-abuse case
By Stephan Salisbury
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
A Common Pleas Court Judge, dabbing tears from her eyes, sentenced a
Roman Catholic priest to 12 years probation yesterday in the only
criminal case arising from the church sex-abuse scandal in
Philadelphia.
The Rev. James Behan, 61, pleaded guilty in February to repeatedly
sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy, a student at North Catholic
High School in the late 1970s.
Judge Pamela Dembe's court, packed with Behan supporters who traveled
by bus from Wilmington, N.C., home of Behan's last parish, echoed with
sighs of relief. Supporters hugged each other, many saying, "Thank
God, it's over."
Gene Donohoe, whose younger brother, Martin, was the victim, said the
family was surprised at the light sentence.
"The judge made a decision and we have to live with it," he said.
Behan faced a maximum of 25 years in prison. Assistant District
Attorney Charles Gallagher asked Dembe to impose a sentence of 11 to
22 years on the main charge, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.
"I think the judge ruled with her heart and not with the law," said
Gene Donohoe.
Martin Donohoe, who is now 42, did not comment. Gallagher, the
prosecutor, left court without comment.
Behan, a dapper man with a white, closely clipped mustache who was
wearing a blue blazer with a maroon and navy scarf draped around his
neck like a vestment, apologized for his actions in court and spoke
directly to the victim.
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Yang
a.a. #28
AthD (h.c.) conferred by the regents of the LCL
a.a. pastor #-273.15, the most frigid church of Celcius nee Kelvin
EAC Econometric Forecast and Sorcery Division
Proudly plonked by Lani Girl and Crazyalec (aka aka Yang's little poltregeist *****)
The Bush 'balanced' budget: 1.6 trillion and worsening
The Bush 'economic' policy: 12.5 million FEWER jobs than Clinton and counting
The Bush Iraq lie: -2134 GIs, one friend's co-worker's son and mounting
Having Bush ***** up my country: Worthless
-----
"Now, did I want to go? Hell no."
-duke (duckgumbo32@cox.net), aka PedophilEarl J Weber, 63
year old mateless, heirless biological failure
of Afton Oaks Apartment, Baton Rouge, on why
a Neocon chickenhawk like him pussied out of
the Vietnam War.
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