From Kalamazoo-
The former pastor of St. Luke's Episcopal Church has been charged with assault and battery for allegedly shoving an elderly parishioner last week, according to the Kalamazoo County Prosecutor's Office.
The charges were officially authorized today, said Chief Assistant Prosecutor Carrie Klein, but an arraignment has yet to be scheduled. Because the charge is a misdemeanor, Rev. Jay R. Lawlor will be contacted by police and allowed to turn himself for booking, she said.
Neither Lawlor, 41, who resigned last week from St. Luke's, nor the victim in the case, Marcia Morrison, 76, could be reached for comment.
Morrison was not injured in the incident, which occurred March 6 immediately after Lawlor headed Sunday morning service for the church, which is located in downtown Kalamazoo.
The charge is a misdemeanor, and conviction could result in a fine of up to $500 and/or a 93-day jail sentence. Klein said that the typical sentence in such a case is probation or a fine.
"There's lots of different factors involved," she said. "This is a case where the victim can address the court, and the community can address the court. There may be members of the church community who want to speak out."
More here-
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2011/03/episcopal_priest_jay_r_lawlor.html
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