In Toledo, Ohio today, a jury after deliberating for a total of 6 hours and 25 minutes convicted Catholic priest Gerald Robinson of the ritualistic murder 26 years ago of a nun, Sister Margaret Ann Pahl. (See prior postings 1, 2, 3 .) Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas Osowik immediately sentenced Robinson to 15 years to life in prison. The Toledo Blade reports that defense attorneys plan an appeal.
Immediately after the verdict, Toledo Catholic Diocese Bishop Leonard Blair issued a statement saying, "Let us hope that the conclusion of the trial will bring some measure of healing for all those affected by the case as well as for our local church." He emphasized that Robinson is a retired priest who "continues to be barred from any public ministry." Local church officials expect that the Vatican will take some kind of additional action against Robinson.
WTOL News has a good summary of events leading up to the trial.
