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Judge: Pedophile Priest's Hearings To Remain Open

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Nov 4, 2009 2:17 pm US/Central

Judge: Pedophile Priest's Hearings To Remain Open

CHICAGO (Sun-Times Media Wire) ― A Cook County judge ruled Wednesday that court hearings dealing with ex-priest Daniel McCormack's mental health will be open to the public as prosecutors seek to have the convicted pedophile civilly committed as a sexually violent person.

One of McCormack's attorneys, Daniel Coyne, argued that the public's interest in openness isn't "safeguarded by knowing the inner workings of (McCormack's) brain." Prosecutors and an attorney for the Chicago Tribune had argued the hearings be held in open court.

Cook County Judge Dennis Porter said Coyne's motion to keep the hearing closed was "overly broad in scope."

McCormack pleaded guilty in 2007 to fondling five boys while he served as a Catholic priest. He was sentenced to five years in prison.

He was set to be released in September, but prosecutors are arguing that he remains a danger and should continue receiving treatment at a secure facility.

McCormack is due back in court Nov. 19.

(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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