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  Minister's Retrial on Sex-Abuse Charges Set to Begin in Pa.

By Michelle Washington
The Virginian-Pilot [Pennsylvania]
October 29, 2006

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=113447&ran=197000

A former minister whose child sexual abuse convictions were overturned on appeal will stand trial again in Pennsylvania beginning Monday.

His neighbors in Norfolk are angry that the retrial took so long.

Lane C. Hurley, the former minister of First Christian Church in Ghent, faces charges of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault and corruption of the morals of a minor. The trial will take place in Carlisle, Pa., where he is accused of molesting his niece during the summer of 1997, when she was 10.

Hurley was convicted of the crimes in 2003, but a Pennsylvania court granted him a new trial on grounds that his lawyer did not effectively represent him. Hurley has maintained his innocence.

Jaime Keating, an assistant district attorney in Cumberland County, Pa., said he expects the trial to last about four days. Hurley's new lawyer, Norris Gelman, has represented high-profile clients, including hippie guru Ira Einhorn on murder charges and the son of a former Philadelphia mob boss on gambling charges. Gelman declined to comment and Hurley did not return a call seeking comment.

Paige Thomas lives across the street from Hurley in Norfolk's Loch Haven neighborhood and said the years of waiting for the retrial have been a nightmare. She has counseled her children to stay away from Hurley.

William E. Miller III used to live four houses away from Hurley and warned him to stay away from his family. Miller, who now lives in Maryland, said he testified during the sentencing phase of Hurley's trial, and has been subpoenaed to do so again.

"The majority of his neighbors recognize him for being a convicted child molester.... His legal maneuvering is just rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic," Miller said. "He's going to get what's coming to him."

Reach Michelle Washingtonat (757) 446-2287 or michelle.washington@pilotonline.com.

 
 

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