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CNN Live Today

Suspect Confesses to Shooting Catholic Priest

Aired May 17, 2002 - 13:26   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: There are developments today -- in fact, this afternoon -- in the case of a suspect who police are now saying confessed to shooting a Catholic priest on Monday earlier this week.

To Baltimore again, and Jeanne Meserve who's watching this -- Jeanne, what do we know now?

JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: Well, Bill, a significant development here. CNN has learned that prosecutors have reversed themselves and will now recommend that there be bail for Dontee Stokes. He is the 26-year-old Baltimore man who has confessed to police that Monday night he shot Father Maurice Blackwell. Prosecutors say there were several factors in their decision.

First among them, Dontee Stokes has no prior record or arrest record. They do not believe he poses any sort of flight risk. And it is apparent that his victim will survive. Father Maurice Blackwell remains in the hospital at this hour in fair condition. They say by far the most important factor was the first -- that he has no prior record or arrest record. This is a city where there's a lot of arrests and fewer prosecutions. The fact that this young man had a blemish-free record was considered terrifically significant to them. Again, a recommendation; the recommendation will be $150,000 in bail.

Now this same state's attorney's office did investigate Dontee Stokes allegation back in 1993 when he first made them. They found his allegations to be very credible. However, there was no prosecution because they had no corroborating evidence. Sources within the state's attorney office tell me that that investigation has nothing to do with the decisions being made on bail. That these revolve purely around the questions of whether he's a flight risk and whether he poses a threat to the community. That bail hearing set to get underway in about half an hour's time.

Now in another significant development, Cardinal William Keeler, who head us up this archdiocese, today officiated mass at a basilica here in Baltimore. And he apologized for the first time specifically to Dontee Stokes and his family, saying a special personal apology to Mr. Stokes and his family. "I express my sympathy to him and his family. I pray for the healing of Mr. Stokes."

This came after a day in which "The Baltimore Sun" published a letter from William Keeler, in which he apologized to all other victims of sexual abuse. And in which he laid out his rationale for his decision back in 1993, when he reinstated Father Maurice Blackwell after the allegations from Dontee Stokes -- Bill, back to you.

HEMMER: Jeanne, thank you. A developing story again in Baltimore this afternoon.

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