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  State Wants Porter Locked up Again
Porter Finished Jail Term 2 Months Ago

Turn to 10 [Taunton MA]
April 2, 2004

TAUNTON, Mass. -- Convicted pedophile priest James Porter will be back in a Massachusetts courtroom next week as state prosecutors ask to have him locked up indefinitely as a sexually dangerous offender.

Porter pleaded guilty in 1993 to molesting 28 children while he was a priest during the 1950s and '60s.

He was sentenced to 18 to 20 years in prison, but because of lenient sentencing laws in effect at the time of the crimes, Porter completed his sentence two months ago.

Bristol District Attorney Paul Walsh wants Porter to be civilly committed.

A probable cause hearing set to begin Monday in Taunton Superior Court will determine whether there is enough evidence to hold a full trial about Walsh's request.

Several of Porter's victims as well as Porter's ex-wife are expected to be called as witnesses by prosecutors.

Under state law, Porter can be held indefinitely at the Massachusetts Treatment Center in Bridgewater beyond his sentence if he is determined to be a "sexually dangerous person."

 
 

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