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CNN Live Today

Judge Considers Boston Priest's Bail Request

Aired May 09, 2002 - 12:45   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: In Boston today, a judge this morning heard a plea for release on behalf of Paul Shanley. Shanley is the retired priest and accused child rapist currently held on $750,000 bond. They were trying to get that bail reduced.

Jason Carroll in Boston watching that and joins us now live -- Jason, good afternoon.

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning to you, Bill.

That hearing ended just a short while ago. I have to tell you, it was somewhat anticlimactic. Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Charles Hely said that he would take the matter under consideration and issue some sort of a written decision on it, and he would inform the parties at a later time.

The arguments that we heard during this bail hearing were basically the same arguments that we heard during Father Paul Shanley's arraignment earlier this week. The deputy district attorney in this case, Lynn Rooney, argued that Shanley was a flight risk, saying that church documents showed that he had interests in going to Costa Rica, interest in going to Mexico. She said those documents also showed that Shanley had admitted to sexual misconduct with minors.

Shanley's attorney, on the other hand, Frank Mondano, argued that the bail was excessive, saying that the allegations are uncorroborated and that his client is not a flight risk at all.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANK MONDANO, ATTORNEY FOR PAUL SHANLEY: The point is that this is a man of limited means, as might be expected for a retired priest. This is a man of poor health, whose poor health links him to the insurance requirements, so that he can get the medical attention that he needs, so that he is dependent upon the relationship that he has with the church in terms of providing him with his medical coverage.

LYNN ROONEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY: We would ask that the bail remain the same, and that, if this defendant should post bail, that conditions be imposed that he surrender his passport, that he be ordered to remain within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, that he have no contact with children under the age of 16, as well as with no contact with any of the victims or witnesses in this case before the court.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CARROLL: Shanley is charged with three counts of child rape. Bail, again, is set at $750,000 -- and Judge Hely saying he will take the matter under consideration and inform both parties of his decision at a later time -- Bill.

HEMMER: Later time meaning? Any insight on that, Jason?

CARROLL: It's basically up to the judge's discretion. It could be later on this afternoon. It could be tomorrow. But I can't imagine that the judge will take too long in issuing some sort of a decision.

HEMMER: Fair enough. Jason, thanks -- Jason Carroll in Boston.

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