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  U.S. Priest in Court on Jogging Naked Charge

RIA Novosti
December 20, 2007

http://en.rian.ru/world/20071220/93346425.html

WASHINGTON - A 53 year-old Catholic priest pleaded not guilty to charges of indecent exposure after being caught walking down the street naked in the city of Frederick in Colorado, U.S. media said.

The Rev. Robert Whipkey who was stopped in the street by an off-duty police officer at around 4:30 a.m., told police he liked to jog in the nude.

Whipkey said he went jogging nude because he was "a heavy man and wearing clothing while running makes me sweat profusely," adding that at that time of the morning he was sure he would be the only person around.

He has been suspended from conducting church services and placed on administrative leave. Whipkey's trial will be heard before a jury on March 25-26.

This is not the first time the priest has been under investigation for inappropriate behavior.

Some eight years ago Whipkey was caught shaving in the nude at a summer camp for boys, and had to undergo a psychiatric examination, which concluded that he posed no threat to others.

"Father Whipkey immediately entered therapy regarding his personal issues and his therapy lasted several years" the Archdiocese of Denver said in a statement.

However, his neighbors said that the priest is always taking his clothes off whenever possible.

"All of his drapes are always open, and he's basically nude in the house," local media quoted a neighbor as saying.

 
 

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