By Megan Koskovich
WKTV
February 29, 2008
http://www.wktv.com/news/local/16119652.html
UTICA - William Procanick - the former pastor at the First Assembly of God in Clinton - received a three year prison sentence for sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl.
The three year prison sentence is for sexual abuse in the first degree. Procanick also received a one year sentence in Oneida County Jail for a lesser charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
This is actually a lesser sentence than what Procanick could have received. The maximum being seven years in state prison.
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Members of Procanick's church filled most of the courtroom today as the former pastor received his sentence.
The girl is said to have spent the night at Procanick's home on several occasions. The district attorney's office says Procanick inappropriately touched the girl on her legs and buttocks during those stays - something Procanick continues to deny.
The mother of the sexually abused child spoke before the courtroom today. We've been asked by the district attorney's office not to give her name or show her face.
However, we can tell you what she said before the courtroom. She spoke about the pain she and her family are going through, calling Procanick a liar, along with the congregation of the First Assembly of God.
The prosecution and defense both had very different takes on her speech.
"I wasn't going to let that stand," said George Aney, Defense Attorney for Procanick. "And unassailed by somebody...criticizing a very, very functional and a good congregation, and I thought she was wrong."
"This has been difficult for the mother of the child and the child," said Doug DeMarche of the district attorney's office. "She was a member of this church and she had a lot of faith and trust in Mr. Procanick and he violated that trust."
Aney says he does plan to appeal this case.
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