NEW ORLEANS — Pedophile priest Lawrence Hecker is in the hospital as his rape and kidnapping trial was supposed to begin, and Judge Ben Willard recused himself from the case Tuesday morning.
Hecker was transferred from a long-term care facility to UMC because of a urinary tract infection.
The judge’s clerk said Judge Willard recused himself because of conflicts between him and the prosecutor.
Williard held prosecutor Ned McGowan in contempt in another recent case
Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams was frustrated with the decision. WWL Louisiana Chief Investigator David Hammer reports that Williams was almost in tears as he talked about having to call nearly a dozen alleged Hecker victims to tell them the trial didn’t happen.
“I can’t begin to explain the level of frustration I have right now,” DA Williams said.
Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Judge Nandi Campbell is set to take over the trial.
Jury selection was set to begin Tuesday in the trial of the retired Roman Catholic priest facing charges of child rape and kidnapping.
Hecker’s trial centers on allegations dating back decades that the local Catholic church took steps to cover up.
A court-appointed doctor on Sept. 5 found Hecker, who turned 93 on Sept. 14, competent to stand trial.
Hecker would serve mandatory life imprisonment if convicted as charged.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.