Philadelphia Judge Dismisses Sexual Assault Charges of Roman Catholic Priest
It's pretty astonishing a judge would throw out these charges but the fight must go on and hopefully justice may be served.
A Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Karen Yvette Simmons dismissed felony involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and sexual assault charges against Andrew McCormick, 56.
According to the Philadelphia district attorney’s office, the case is still remanded for trial on the misdemeanor charges of indecent assault, corrupting the morals of a minor and endangering the welfare of a child.
The district attorney’s office plans to re-file the felony charges against McCormick as well as file an appeal to determine if the felony charges should have been properly held for court based on the alleged victim’s testimony.
“The Commonwealth is very confident that all the felony charges will be reinstated and McCormick will then be sent to trial in the Court of Common Pleas on all charges,” Tasha Jamerson, district attorney spokeswoman said in a statement.McCormick befriended the former altar boy, now 25, while he was a pastor St. John Cantius Church in Bridesburg, Pa., District Attorney Seth Williams said in July following his arrest. The man alleged that the abuse occurred in the church rectory and involved one incident of “sexual contact", when the victim was 10 years old.
“It was a huge win today,” said defense attorney William J. Brennan. “I believe his (complaining witness) motives are suspect. Father McCormick has overwhelming support from the community. He’s innocent until proven guilty.”President of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, Barbara Blaine, expressed disappointment that the felony charges were dropped.
“It’s tempting to be complacent, do nothing, and assume that McCormick will get convicted on the remaining charges. But that’s irresponsible. We must all do all that we can to protect kids. Every single victim, witness and whistleblower must summon the strength and step forward so that predators will be kept from children,” Blaine said in a statement.In March of 2011, McCormick was one 21 priests placed on administrative leave by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in response to a grand jury report.
McCormick was arrested after he was taken into custody outside of Philadelphia, where he was living with his parents. He was released on $150,000 bail.
In December of 2011, the complainant reported the alleged incident to the police department’s Special Victims Unit after seeing news coverage of the sexual abuse scandals at Penn State and the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, said Police Capt. John Darby of the Special Victims Unit.
McCormick’s arrest in July came in the wake of the landmark priest sexual abuse trial in Philadelphia, the result of a 2011 grand jury report that led to criminal charges against three Philadelphia priests and a parochial school teacher for allegedly raping and assaulting boys in their care, and charges against Monsignor William Lynn who was accused of allowing the priests to have access to children.
