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Retired priest’s sex-assault case held up over secret motions by defense

August 23rd, 2012, 9:31 am · 6 Comments · posted by

Those looking for news out of Father Charles Robert Manning’s Thursday morning court appearance will have to check back in October.

Manning, 77, was due to be arraigned on sex assault charges but a judge postponed the hearing to give attorneys time to argue two Father Charles Robert Manningdefense motions. The topic of those motions will remain a mystery for now: They were filed under seal on Friday and Monday.

Manning is a retired priest accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy he took under his wing for spiritual counseling. The allegations led to his ouster from St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church earlier this year, and Manning has since moved into a home for retired clergy in the St. Louis area. He travels to Colorado Springs for court appearances, which he attends in a wheelchair and toting an oxygen tank.

Fourth Judicial District Judge Ronald Crowder set an Oct. 19 hearing for oral arguments. Manning is due to be arraigned at the same hearing.

Manning’s attorney Richard Bednarski previously informed the court he was in plea negotiations with prosecutors. It’s unclear if talks are continuing: There were no updates Thursday from either Bednarski or prosecutor David Kalicki.

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