BishopAccountability.org
	Attorney Asks for New Trial for Defrocked Priest Convicted of Sex Abuse By Brian Witte The Associated Press, carried in Union-Tribune [Baltimore MD] February 23, 2005 BALTIMORE – An attorney for a defrocked priest convicted of sexually abusing an altar boy requested a new trial Wednesday, arguing that statements about other alleged victims made it impossible to get a fair trial. "We believe that a review of the law clearly supports our position for a new trial and we're hopeful that the judge will grant it," attorney Kenneth Ravenell said after the motion was filed. Maurice Blackwell, 58, was convicted last week of committing three counts of child sexual abuse against Dontee Stokes, who shot the clergyman in 2002, nearly a decade after the abuse. Blackwell faces up to 45 years in prison. The defense contends that statements made at the trial by two witnesses referring to other alleged sex abuse victims of Blackwell were grounds for a new trial. The statements prompted Judge Stuart Berger to warn the prosecution not to bring up allegations relating to other victims. He also rebuked the detectives for their testimony and is considering holding them in contempt of court. During a hearing with the detectives, the judge expressed frustration with their testimony, saying he had "failed" to maintain the courtroom conditions he hoped to preside over. Blackwell, a once-popular priest, was stripped of his church authority in 1998 after acknowledging he had a sexual relationship with a teenage boy in the early 1970s. The Vatican defrocked him in October. Sentencing is scheduled for April 15. Stokes was acquitted of attempted murder in December 2002 after saying he had an "out-of-body experience" when he shot Blackwell. He was convicted on gun charges.