Wednesday, January 18, 2012
SMETHPORT, Pa. (AP) — A suspended Catholic priest on trial for charges of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old boy last year told police he felt “old and alone” so he bought the boy’s friendship with expensive gifts.
The Bradford Era reports a McKean County jury is expected to begin deliberating today whether the Rev. Samuel Slocum corrupted the boy and interfered with his mother’s custody of him by contacting the boy after his mother told the priest to stop. Jurors heard the 60-year-old priest’s statement to police on Tuesday. The priest denies sexual feelings for the boy, saying he felt more like the boy’s “Dad.”
The Erie diocese removed Slocum from duty at two churches in McKean County after the charges were filed in April.
Slocum’s attorney contends the priest exercised bad judgment, but didn’t commit any crime.