BishopAccountability.org
	Priest Appears in Las Vegas Court on Attempted Murder, Sex Assault Charges FoxNews February 13, 2007 http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251725,00.html Las Vegas — A Roman Catholic priest accused of beating and sexually assaulting a female employee at a southern Nevada parish office made his initial court appearance in Las Vegas on Tuesday The Rev. George Chaanine stood shackled, wearing gray-blue jail scrubs, as he was represented by a Clark County public defender during his brief appearance in Las Vegas Justice Court. Chaanine was not asked to enter a plea on charges including attempted murder, sexual assault, kidnapping and battery that could result in a sentence of life in prison if he is convicted. The 52-year-old priest answered just one question, telling Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith he could not afford to hire a lawyer. He did not immediately seek bail. His court-appointed lawyer, Jeff Banks, said he would do that in writing later. The judge set a preliminary hearing for Feb. 27. Chaanine is accused of hitting a church soloist over the head with a wine bottle and attacking her Jan. 26 at the Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church office. Banks said the priest, arrested Feb. 1 near Phoenix, was "ready to face these charges." "He's keeping his chin up in this most trying time of his life," he said.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.