Sunday, May 3, 2009

Episcopal bishop asks for another trial


A defrocked Episcopal bishop is asking a church court for another trial based on newly discovered love letters related to his case.

Charles E. Bennison Jr. was ousted, or deposed, last year, after a church trial in Philadelphia found he covered up his brother's sexual assaults of a teenage girl in the 1970s.

Bennison's lawyers now say a cache of more than 200 letters between the victim and Bennison's brother contradicts witness testimony at the trial.

The attorneys also argue the letters show the victim tried to hide the relationship, making it hard for the bishop to intervene.

The motion, made public Monday, asks for the charges to be dropped or for a new trial. Church attorney Lawrence White declined comment.

http://www.dailypress.com/features/dp-gl_relbriefs_05033may03,0,1746564.story

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