NEW ORLEANS — Less than a week after Judge Benedict Willard suddenly and shockingly stepped down from the child-rape trial of pedophile priest Lawrence Hecker, Judge Nandi Campbell has set a new trial date: December 3.
Willard cited “disrespect” from one of the assistant district attorneys prosecuting Hecker. Hecker’s trial centers on allegations dating back decades that the local Catholic church took steps to cover up.
Hecker would serve mandatory life imprisonment if convicted as charged.
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